,rt.BWDAU 


uy-mmmd 


IS 


I^EiCROSS  -VIGTORXQ^JS 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 

VERSE    FOR    THE    TIMES 
AND  THE  TIMES  TO  GOME 


THE  VISION 
SPLENDID 


BY 


JOHN  OXENHAM 

AUTHOR  OF  "all's  well!" 

"bees  in  amber,"  etc. 


NEW  YORK 
GEORGE  H.  DORAN  COMPANY 


COPYRIGHT,  191 7, 
BY  GEORGE  H.  DORAN  COMPANY 


PRINTED  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 


TO 

ALL  THOSE 

WHO  ARE  LOOKING  FORWARD 

WITH  EARNEST  EXPECTATION 

AND  STEADFAST  DETERMINATION 

TO  THE  EMERGENCE 

FROM  THIS  PRESENT  CHAOS 

OF  A  COSMOS 

WORTHY  OF  GOD  AND  HUMANITY 

IN  THIS 

TWENTIETH  CENTURY  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN 

ERA 

I  DEDICATE 

THIS  LITTLE   BOOK 

IN  CONFIDENT  HOPE. 


3G 


>  J 


FOREWORD 


FOREWORD 

Is  the  outcome  of  this  latest  world  tragedy  to  be 
loss  or  gain?    Under  God,  it  rests  with  ourselves. 

The  greatest  world  tragedy  of  all  ended  on  the 
Cross  in  what,  to  the  men  of  those  days,  seemed 
absolute  loss;  but  that  apparent  loss  has  become 
life's  greatest  gain. 

So  far,  the  world's  loss  in  material  things  in  this 
war  does  not  bear  brooding  upon.  But  even 
therein  the  apparent  loss  is  not  all  loss.  Our  men, 
we  know,  are  not  lost,  except  for  a  brief  space  to 
us  who  are  left.  To  themselves,  the  gain  of  their 
translation  is  good  to  think  upon.  The  minor 
loss,  in  treasure  of  all  kinds,  may  prove  gain  if  it 
bring  us  perforce  to  simpler  living.  And — the  soul 
of  the  world  has  been  shocked  at  last  into  true 
understanding  of  the  inevitable  and  dire  results 
of  purely  materialistic  aims.  It  has  seen  the  soul 
of  a  great  nation  deliberately  self-poisoned  at  the 
fount  by  the  worship  of  a  false  ideal.  The  one 
great  loss  to  the  world  so  far  is  the  loss  of  the 
German  soul.  Time,  and  the  will  thereto,  may 
repair  even  that. 

[vii] 


FOREWORD 


But,  in  certain  directions,  we  are,  most  of  us, 
conscious  of  some  gain.  The  heroism  of  our  men 
has  been  rivalled  by  the  heroic  endurance  with 
which  those  at  home  have  borne  their  losses.  It 
is  wonderful.    It  is  magnificent. 

Bruised  and  broken  hearts  are  nearer  and 
dearer  to  God  than  self-sufficient  and  self-satisfied 
ones.  We  have,  most  of  us,  felt  ourselves,  as 
never  before,  in  the  hands  of  God.  And  that  is 
undoubted  good.  Amid  all  the  horrors  and  con- 
fusions of  these  terrible  times,  the  soul  of  life  is 
groping  back  to  the  elementals  and  fundamentals 
as  the  only  truly  stable  things  left. 

Much  that  we  held  essential  has  vanished  In  the 
fiery  furnace.  But,  In  the  old  story.  It  was  In  the 
fiery  furnace  that  the  Son  of  God  was  discovered 
walking  with  the  captives; — and  the  bonds  which 
had  bound  them  had  disappeared  in  the  flames  and 
they  were  free  men.  God  grant  that  that  analogy 
hold  true,  and  that  we  come  forth  from  this  fur- 
nace of  affliction  freed  of  our  bonds  and  walking 
visibly,  like  them,  with  the  Son  of  God ! 

If  that  be  ours,  then  the  New  Life  after  the  war 
will  be  regulated  on  the  broad  basis  of  the  best  for 
each  and  all,  and  all  the  forces  of  reaction  which 
strive  against  that  will  have  to  go.    Right  will  rule. 

[viii] 


FOREWORD 


If  this  fierce  flame  free  us  from  the  ruinous 
wastage  of  drink, — from  the  cancer  of  Immorality, 
— from  the  shame  of  our  housing-systems  both  In 
town  and  country, — and  bring  about  a  fairer  ap- 
portionment of  the  necessaries  of  life, — a  living 
wage  to  all  workers,  leisure  to  enjoy,  and  oppor- 
tunities to  possess  and  progress, — It  will  have 
done  much.  If  it  level  the  dividing-walls,  and  re- 
sult in  a  Pact  of  Nations  which  will  ensure  Peace 
for  all  time,  it  will  have  done  very  much.  If  it 
bring  the  world  back  to  God,  It  will  have  done 
everything.  This,  our  great  sacrifice,  will  then 
be  turned  to  everlasting  gain. 

The  wheels  of  Life  were  skidding  on  the  greasy 
ways  of  wealth  and  ease.  We  were  leaving  God 
out.  This  from  which  we  are  suffering  is  of  our 
own  incurring. 

God's  Law  is  Right, — right-doing, — Righteous- 
ness. Who  breaks — pays,  In  this  as  in  all  other 
laws,  but  most  Inevitably  in  this.  We  broke, — in 
permitting  amongst  us  and  elsewhere,  without  pro- 
test, that  which  made  for  evil.  We  are  paying. 
It  is  not  punishment,  but  the  simple  righteous 
working  of  Inviolable  Law. 

And  now, — having  paid,  in  blood  and  tears  and 
bitterness  of  woe,— now,  with  the  spirit  of  God  In 

[ix] 


FOREWORD 


US,  with  enlightened  souls  and  widened  hearts,  we 
may  look  forward  to  The  Vision  Splendid  of  a 
new-made  world. 

Not  only  may, — we  must.  Every  act  is  the 
fruit  of  a  thought.  If  we  do  not  think  good  we 
cannot  act  good.  If  we  do  not  think  deeply  now 
on  that  to  which  we  hope  to  attain  we  shall  not  be 
ready  to  act  good  when  the  time  comes, — the  at- 
tainment may  be  delayed  and  discounted. 

So — to  The  Vision  Splendid  of  a  world  in  which 
God  and  Right  shall  reign  supreme, — and  may  we 
all  live  to  see  it  realized! 


W 


CONTENTS 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Foreword vii 

The  Vision  Splendid 
Mors  Janua  Vitae 
The  Victorious  Cross    . 

Joined  Up 

Thus  Saith  the  Lord    . 
Angels? — Why  Not?    . 
A  New  Earth        .... 
The  Churches       .... 
What  Did  You  See  Out  There,  My 
Lad? 


31 
Where  Are  You  Going,  Great-Heart?      33 


Carry  On  ! 

The  Cross-Roads    .         .         .         . 
The  Call  of  the  Dead 

Jewels 

On  Eagles'  Wings 
Searchlights  .        .         .         . 
A  Little  Te  Deum  of  Renewals 
After  the  Storm   .         .         .         . 
The  Valley  of  Decision 
The  Goal  and  the  Way 

[xi] 


17 
19 

20 
22 

25 
27 

28 
30 


36 

38 
40 

42 

43 
45 
46 

48 
50 
51 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Through  the  Valley    .         .         -        -       53 

Visions      .... 

55 

His  Latch-Key 

56 

Comfort  Ye  I    . 

59 

Sweet  Lavender    . 

62 

Atonement    .... 

66 

Moor  Maiden 

67 

Sanctuary      .        .         .         , 

69 

In  the  Master's  Garden 

71 

God's  Sunshine 

73 

Love  Ever  Gives    . 

74 

Little  Brown  Sister 

75 

The  Ballad  of  Jim  Baxter     . 

77 

The  Outer  Guard 

85 

You  Also 

87 

Our  Wounded 

89 

Prisoners  of  War  . 

•       91 

*'CoME  AT  Once!"  . 

92 

"De  Mortuis  Nil" 

•       94 

One  Mother 

•       95 

The  Meeting-Place 

,  ^ 

■       97 

Some  Blesseds 

•       99 

The  Sacrament  of  Food 

.     102 

At — One — Ment  . 

.     103 

Kitchener 

.     105 

Promoted 

.     108 

[xii] 

CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Edith  Cavell         .... 

.     Ill 

Good  Only 

113 

Germania! 

114 

Right  and  Rights         .... 

.    117 

The  Father-Motherhood      . 

,    118 

God-Sense! 

.    119 

Debtor  and  Creditor  Am  I  . 

120 

Inspiration — Perspiration   .        .        , 

123 

In  the  Beginning    .... 

124 

A  Little  Word 

127 

Show  Pity,  Lord  ! 

128 

Squaring  Up 

130 

The  Purge  of  the  Flame 

132 

The  Truth  Shall  Set  You  Free  . 

•    133 

There  Is  No  Death      .... 

134 

The  Leaves  of  the  Golden  Book 

^35 

And  Thou? , 

137 

Yesterday — To-day — To-morrow  . 

139 

St.  Anthony  and  Cobbler  John     . 

142 

Paul  and  Agrippa 

144 

Kinsfolk 

.     146 

The  Children       .... 

►     147 

Be  Strong! 

.     149 

To  Win  the  World      .        .        . 

.     150 

[xiii] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


The  Vision  of  a  world  redeemed  from  sin. 
Where  Christ  has  first  cast  out  then  entered  in,- 
He  died  upon  the  Cross — for  you  and  me, 
And  you  have  died  to  crown  His  Sovereignty. 


For  us  He  died, — 

For  you  and  me; 
For  us  they  died, — 

For  you  and  me. 
That  love  so  great  be  justified, 
And  that  Thy  Name  be  magnified. 

Grant,  Lord,  that  we 

Full  worthy  be 
Of  these — our  loved, — our  crucified ! 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE   VISION    SPLENDID 

Here — or  hereafter — ^you  shall  see  it  ended, 
This  mighty  work  to  which  your  souls  are  set; 
If  from  beyond — then,  with  the  vision  splendid, 
You  shall  smile  back  and  never  know  regret. 

Be  this  your  vision! — through  you,  Life  trans- 
figured, 
Uplift,  redeemed  from  Its  forlorn  estate, 
Purged  of  the  stains  which  once  Its  soul  disfigured. 
Healed  and  restored,  and  wholly  consecrate. 

Christ's  own  rich  blood,  for  healing  of  the  nations. 
Poured  through  his  heart  the  message  of  reprieve; 
God's  holy  martyrs  built  on  His  foundations. 
Built  with  their  lives  and  died  that  Life  might  live. 

Now,  in  their  train,  your  blood  shall  bring  like 

healing; 
You,  like  the  Saints,  have  freely  given  your  all, 
And  your  high  deaths,  God's  purposes  revealing, 
Sound  through  the  earth  His  mighty  Clarion  Call. 

Verse  I.  is  from  "Christ  All"  in  "All's  Weill" 
[17] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID   (continued) 

O,  not  in  vain  has  been  your  great  endeavour; 
For,  by  your  dyings,  Life  Is  born  again. 
And  greater  love  hath  no  man  tokened  ever, 
Than  with  his  life  to  purchase  Life's  high  gain. 


[18] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


MORS  JANUA  VIT^ 

Here,  we  have  life, 

Through  your  most  valiant  deaths  out  there; 

There,  you  have  life. 

Through  your  most  valiant  deaths  out  there; 

For  life  so  nobly  given, — 

Thy  strife  so  nobly  striven, 

Grant  them  Thy  heaven, — 
New  Life,  O  Lord, — Thy  meet  reward 
For  those  most  valiant  deaths  out  there/ 


l&l 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE   VICTORIOUS    CROSS 

The  Cross  still  stands  for  Right 

Against  ungodly  Might; 

God's  Love  is  that  Eternal  Light  . 
That  shines  for  ever, 
Failing  never, 
In  the  darkest  night. 


Though  worlds  in  ruin  lie, 

Though  man  despairing  die. 

Though  earth  doth  still  Christ  crucify,- 

The  Cross  stands  ever, 

Failing  never. 

Love  to  glorify. 


Unchanged  from  what  it  meant 
To  that  first  penitent, — 
Symbol  of  Love  Omnipotent, — • 
The  Cross  stands  ever, 
Failing  never, 
Of  His  Great  Intent. 

[20] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  VICTORIOUS  CROSS  (continued) 

God's  Love  to  testify, 
Man's  faith  to  justify, 
All  life  and  death  to  dignify, — t 

The  Cross  stands  ever, 

Failing  never. 

Of  its  sovereignty. 

God's  Love  hung  on  The  Tree; 
Christ  died — for  you  and  me; 
Christ  rose  again — for  you — and  me  ;- 

So — Love  lives  ever, 

Failing  never, 

Through  eternity. 


[21] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


JOINED   UP 

There  is  gathering  In  the  heavens  an  innumerable 

host 
Of  the  valiant  and  the  noble  ones  who  count  the 

world  well  lost, 
The  Lord  of  Hosts  had  need  of  them  for  the  work 

He  has  on  hand, 
Now,  like  the  stars  for  multitude,  they  wait  His 

high  command. 

Every  race  and  every  nation,  every  land  beneath 

the  sun 
Has  helped  to  swell  that  great  array,  but  all  In 

Him  are  one; 
For  the  things  that  made  for  hatreds,  and  the 

things  that  made  for  wrath, 
Fell  from  them  as  they  passed  The  Gate  and 

pledged  their  new  God-troth. 

He  Is  ranging,  He  Is  sorting  them.  He  Is  moulding 

to  His  Will 
Those  wondrous  divers  elements  so  that  each  his 

place  may  fill; 

[22] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


JOINED  UP   (continued) 

The  Lord  of  Life  His  Kingdom  claims,  His  ban- 
ner is  unfurled, 

He  is  marshalling  His  forces  for  the  conquest  of 
the  world. 


The  Captain  of  that  mighty  host  is  robed  in  stain- 
less white. 

In  His  hand  the  Spear  of  Justice,  and  the  sword 
of  Truth  and  Right, 

He  wears  as  crown  a  platted  thorn, — the  kingliest 
crown  e'er  worn. 

And  blazoned  on  His  banner  is  the  glorious  Cross 
of  Scorn. 


All  the  dear  ones  we  have  lost  are  In  that  host 

beyond  compare, 
He  has  called  them  to  His  battle  that  they  may 

His  Triumph  share ; 
And  no  man  there  but  glories  in  the  gain  we  count 

but  loss, — 
For  they  proudly  follow  Him  who  vanquished 

Death  upon  the  Cross. 
[23] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


JOINED  UP   (continued) 

And  the  hearts  of  men  are  stirring  now;  they  feel 

His  Presence  near; 
His  clarion-call  has  thrilled  the  world  with  its 

challenge  loud  and  clear; 
By  the  dim  High  Way  of  sorrow,  and  the  clean 

reluctant  sword, 
The  Soul  of  Life  is  answering  the  summons  of  its 

Lord. 


[24] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THUS    SAITH   THE    LORD! 

THUS  SAITH  THE  LORD— 

Ye  were  become  as  dead  dry  bones 

Wherein  there  was  no  life. 

Yea,  as  the  dead,  and  poorer  than  the  dead, 

In  that  ye  lived  yet  had  no  life. 

For  Life  that  lives  unto  itself  is  Death, 

And  without  ME  nought  IS. 

Turn  ye !    Turn  ye ! 

Turn  ye  now  to  ME  again! 

Cleanse  you  and  make  you  clean! 

Seek  ye  My  face ! 

Walk  in  My  ways ! 

Deal  justly  I 

Walk  uprightly ! 

Seek  out  the  things  that  make  for  peace ! 

Live  unto  ME  and  no  more  to  yourselves. 

And  I  will  come  again  and  dwell  with  you, 

And  ye — shall — live ! 

Turn  now  to  ME, 

And  I  will  breathe  upon  these  dead  dry  bones 
[25] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THUS  SAITH  THE  LORD!  (continued) 

That  they  shall  live. 

Bone  to  his  bone  will  I  bring  them, 

With  sinews  afresh  will  I  knit  them, 

With  flesh  and  with  skin  will  I  clothe  them, 

And  into  them  will  breathe  again 

The  Breath  of  Life, 

That  they  shall  live. 

Turn  ye !     Turn  ye ! 

Turn  ye  now  to  ME  again. 

And  I  will  give  to  you  New  Soul  of  Life, 

AND— YE— SHALL— LIVE ! 


Amen!    Amen! 

So  be  it  with  us,  Lord! 


[26] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


ANGELS?— WHY    NOT? 

Were  there  angels  at  Mons? 

Why  not? 

There  are  angels  everywhere; 

An  we  were  fitter  to  receive 

We  might  more  possibly  perceive 

Them  In  the  way. 

Has  He  not  charged  them  to  upbear 

Our  stumbling  footsteps,  and  with  care 

To  help  us  when  we  stray  ? 

Perchance,  in  that  sore  strain  and  stress, 

Men's  eyes  were  opened  In  the  face 

Of    Death    that    they    saw    God, — and    hidden 

things, — 
And  visions  of  His  angels'  wings. 
Why  not? 

God's  arm  still  puissant  Is  to  smite ; — 
Why  should  It  not,  once  more, 
Have  flamed,  and  struck  like  levIn-lIght, 
For  Freedom,  Justice,  Truth,  and  Right, 
As  In  the  days  of  yore? 


[27] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


A   NEW   EARTH 

God  grant  us  wisdom  in  these  coming  days, 
And  eyes  unsealed,  that  we  clear  visions  see 
Of  that  new  world  that  He  would  have  us  build, 
To  Life's  ennoblement  and  His  high  ministry. 

God   give   us   sense, — ^God-sense    of   Life's   new 

needs, 
And  souls  aflame  with  new-born  chivalries — 
To  cope  with  those  black  growths  that  foul  the 

ways, — ' 
To  cleanse  our  poisoned  founts  with  God-born 

energies. 

To  pledge  our  souls  to  nobler,  loftier  life. 
To  win  the  world  to  His  fair  sanctities, 
To  bind  the  nations  in  a  Pact  of  Peace, 
And  free  the  Soul  of  Life  for  finer  loyalties. 

Not  since  Christ  died  upon  His  lonely  cross 
Has  Time  such  prospect  held  of  Life's  new  birth; 
Not  since  the  world  of  chaos  first  was  born 
Has  man  so  clearly  visaged  hope  of  a  new  earth. 

[28] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


A  NEW  EARTH   (continued) 

Not  of  our  own  might  can  we  hope  to  rise 
Above  the  ruts  and  soilures  of  the  past, 
But,  with  His  help  who  did  the  first  earth  build, 
With  hearts  courageous  we  may  fairer  build  this 
last. 


[29] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE    CHURCHES 

Two,  in  the  darkness,  sought  the  Cross, 
But  in  their  blindness  found  it  not; 
This  way  and  that,  in  dole  and  loss, 
They  sought  the  Cross  but  found  it  not. 

^^This  wayF* — the  one  insistent  cried; 
^^Nay,  thisF^ — the  other  quick  replied; 
And  each  the  other's  hope  denied. 

'7  tell  you,  my  way  is  the  right P* 
^'Nay  then,  you  stumhler  in  the  night, 
My  way  alone  leads  to  the  light!'* 

^'Perverse! — Go  then  your  own  wrong  road!' 
'7  go! — for  my  way  leads  to  God  J' 
And  each  his  own  way  brusquely  strode. 

And  up  above,  upon  The  Tree, 
Christ^s  wounds  broke  in  fresh  agony. 


[30] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


WHAT  DID  YOU  SEE  OUT  THERE,  MY 
LAD? 

What  did  you  see  out  there,  my  lad, 

That  has  set  that  look  in  your  eyes? 

You  went  out  a  hoy,  you  have  come  back  a  man. 

With  strange  new  depths  underneath  your  tan; 

What  was  it  you  saw  out  there,  my  lad, 

That  set  such  deeps  in  your  eyes? 

"Strange  things, — and  sad, — and  wonderful, — 

Things  that  I  scarce  can  tell, — 

I   have   been   in   the    sweep    of   the    Reaper's 

scythe, — 
With  God, — and  Christ, — and  hell. 

'*I  have  seen  Christ  doing  Christly  deeds; 
I  have  seen  the  devil  at  play; 
I  have  grimped  to  the  sod  in  the  hand  of  God; 
I  have  seen  the  God-less  pray. 

"I  have  seen  Death  blast  out  suddenly 
From  a  clear  blue  summer  sky; 
I  have  slain  like  Cain  with  a  blazing  brain; 
I  have  heard  the  wounded  cry. 
[31] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


WHAT    DID    YOU    SEE    OUT    THERE,    MY 
LAD?   (continued) 

"I  have  lain  alone  among  the  dead, 
With  no  hope  but  to  die ; 
I  have  seen  them  killing  the  wounded  ones; 
I  have  seen  them  crucify. 

"I  have  seen  the  Devil  in  petticoats 
Wiling  the  souls  of  men; 
I  have  seen  great  sinners  do  great  deeds 
And  turn  to  their  sins  again. 

"I  have  sped  through  hells  of  fiery  hail, 
With  fell  red-fury  shod; 
I  have  heard  the  whisper  of  a  voice; 
I  have  looked  in  the  face  of  God." 

You've  a  right  to'^yoiir  deep,  high  look,  my  lad. 

You  have  met  God  in  the  ways; 

And  no  man  looks  into  His  face 

But  he  feels  it  all  his  days. 

You've  a  right  to  your  deep,  high  look,  my  lad, 

And  we  thank  Him  for  His  grace. 


[32] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


WHERE  ARE  YOU  GOING,  GREAT- 
HEART? 

Where  are  you  going ^  Great-Hearty 
With  your  eager  face  and  your  fiery  grace? — 
Where  are  you  going ^  Great-Heart? 

"To  fight  a  fight  with  all  my  might, 
For  Truth  and  Justice,  God  and  Right, 
To  grace  all  Life  with  His  fair  Light.'' 
Then  God  go  with  you,  Great-Heart! 

Where  are  you  going,  Great-Heart? 
"To  beard  the  Devil  in  his  den; 
To  smite  him  with  the  strength  of  ten; 
To  set  at  large  the  souls  of  men." 

Then  God  go  with  you,  Great-Heart! 

Where  are  you  going,  Great-Heart? 
"To  end  the  rule  of  knavery; 
To  break  the  yoke  of  slavery; 
To  give  the  world  delivery." 

Then  God  go  with  you,  Great-Heart! 
[33] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


WHERE  ARE  YOU   GOING,   GREAT-HEART? 
(continued) 

Where  are  you  going ^  Great-Heart? 
*'To  hurl  high-stationed  evil  down; 
To  set  the  Cross  above  the  crown; 
To  spread  abroad  My  King's  renown." 
Then  God  go  with  you,  Great-Heart! 

Where  are  you  going,  Great-Heart? 

"To  cleanse  the  earth  of  noisome  things; 
To  draw  from  life  its  poison-stings; 
To  give  free  play  to  Freedom's  wings.'* 
Then  God  go  with  you,  Great-Heart! 

Where  are  you  going,  Great-Heart? 
**To  lift  To-day  above  the  Past; 
To  make  To-morrow  sure  and  fast; 
To  nail  God's  colours  to  the  mast." 
Then  God  go  with  you,  Great-Heart! 

Where  are  you  going,  Great-Heart? 
"To  break  down  old  dividing-lines; 
To  carry  out  My  Lord's  designs; 
To  build  again  His  broken  shrines." 
Then  God  go  with  you,  Great-Heart! 
[34] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


WHERE  ARE  YOU   GOING,   GREAT-HEART? 

(continued) 

Where  are  you  going ^  Great-Heart? 
"To  set  all  burdened  peoples  free; 
To  win  for  all  God's  liberty; 
To  'stablish  His  Sweet  Sovereignty." 
God  goeth  with  you,  Great-Heart! 


(After  Lammenais.) 
[35] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


CARRY    ON! 

^^ Carry  on,  Brave  Hearts!    Carry  onP' — • 
Rings,  like  a  clarion  cry, 
Our  heart-felt  valedictory, 
To  cheer  you  on  to  victory; — 

^^ Carry  on,  Brave  Hearts!    Carry  on!*' 
Now  bear  you  well,  and  bear  you  high, 
Who  fights  for  God  to  God  draws  nigh, 
And  wins  him  immortality; — 

*^ Carry  on,  Brave  Hearts!    Carry  on!** 

The  night  is  past,  day  dawns  at  last; — 
*' Carry  on,  Brave  Hearts!    Carry  on!** 

The  way  is  clear,  the  goal  is  near; — 
^' Carry  on.  Brave  Hearts!    Carry  on!** 

God's  Best  awaits  beyond  these  straits ; — • 
^^ Carry  on.  Brave  Hearts!    Carry  on!** 

For  Peace  on  Earth  is  at  the  birth ; — ' 
*' Carry  on.  Brave  Hearts!    Carry  on!** 

[36] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


CARRY  ON!    (continued) 

The  fateful  day  is  all  your  own, 
The  Evil  Thing  is  overthrown, 
The  mighty  victory  is  won; — 

-*^Carry  on,  Brave  Hearts!    Carry  onP* 
Your  might  shall  set  Christ  on  His  Throne, 
And  His  sweet  grace  in  full  atone 
For  all  that  you  have  undergone ; — 

^^ Carry  on,  Brave  Hearts!    Carry  on!^* 


[37] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE    CROSS-ROADS 

Together  we  lay  in  the  trenches, 
Together  we  held  the  foe, 
Together  we  sped  across  No  Man's  Land 
And  laid  the  Alleman  low. 


And,  now  that  the  fighting  is  over, 
Shall  we  take  opposing  roads? — 
You  to  the  joys  of  the  Primrose  Path, 
We  to  the  gall  of  the  goads? 


If  so — there's  a  struggle  before  us, 
And  the  end  of  it  none  can  tell. 
With  you  lies  the  mighty  decision,- 
Shall  it  be  heaven  or  hell? 


If  we  work  as  we  did  in  the  trenches, — 
When  no  man's  life  was  his  own, 
But  each  man  strove  for  the  good  of  all, 
And  worked  till  the  work  was  done, — 
[38] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  CROSS-ROADS   (continued) 

We  can  make  this  Britain  of  ours 
The  happiest  land  on  earth, 
Where  all  men  strive  for  the  good  of  all, 
And  none  shall  suffer  dearth. 

We  are  here  at  the  cross-roads — waiting; 
We  claim  of  our  right  fair-play; 
Shall  we  work  as  we  did  In  the  trenches, 
Or  win  by  the  rough  red  way? 


[39] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE    CALL   OF   THE    DEAD 

Do  you  hear  a  deep  voice  calling? — 

Calling  persistently? — 

Like  the  sound  of  God's  great  waters, — 

Calling  insistently? 

'Tis  the  voice  of  our  dead,  our  myriad  dead, 

Calling  to  you  and  me; — 

"By  the  red  deaths  we  have  suffered, 
By  the  fiery  paths  we  trod, 
By  the  lives  we  gave  All  Life  to  save, — 
We  call  you  back  to  God. 

"We  call  you  from  your  trifling 
With  the  petty  things  of  life ; 
We  cry  aloud  for  a  new  world  vowed 
To  a  world-redeeming  strife. 

"We  call  you  to  cut  the  cankers 
That  have  grown  around  your  growth; 
We  call  you  from  by-ways  to  High  Ways, 
And  the  pledge  of  a  new  God-troth. 
[40] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  CALL  OF  THE  DEAD   (continued) 

''We  call  you  to  His  high  service; 
You  have  followed  other  gods ; 
Their  baneful  ways  brought  the  evil  days, 
And  loosed  the  grim  red  floods. 

"On  your  knees,  on  your  knees,  seek  pardon 
For  the  wrongs  that  have  been  done ! — 
For  the  perverse  wills,  and  the  active  ills, 
And  the  high  things  left  undone ! 

"One  way  there  is, — one  only, 

Whereby  ye  may  stand  sure; 

One  way  by  which  ye  may  withstand 

All  foes,  and  Life's  High  Ways  command, 

And  make  your  building  sure. — 

Take  God  once  more  as  Counsellor, 

Work  with  Him,  hand  in  hand, 

Build  surely,  in  His  Grace  and  Power, 

The  nobler  things  that  shall  endure, 

And,  having  done  all,— STAND!'* 


[41] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


JEWELS 

Jewels  of  worth  from  Mother  Earth 
You  may  win  and  mightily  prize, — * 
Emeralds,  rubies,  diamonds,  all 
Endowed  with  virtues  symbolical, 
And  amethysts  purpureal. 
Opal,  and  turquoise,  and  sapphire  blue, 
Onyx,  and  beryl,  and  jacinth  too, — 
You  may  win  them  all  and  mightily  prize, 
But  fairer  to  me  are  a  baby's  eyes, 
Profound  and  sweet  as  the  summer  skies. 
And  litten  still  with  the  sanctities 
Of  the  Love  that  lights  up  Paradise. 


[42] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


ON    EAGLES'    WINGS 

(To  THE  White  Knights  of  the  Air  Ser- 
vices.) 

Supremely  in  His  Hand  are  you, 

To  whom  the  mighty  joy  is  given 

On  eagles^  wings  to  climb  the  blue, 

And,  on  the  pinions  of  the  winds, 

To  sweep  the  boundless  plains  of  heaven. 

So — to  your  minds 

Be  present  this, 

For  cheer  in  your  necessities, — 

Who  swings  the  countless  spheres  in  space, 

Yet  to  their  even  courses  holds; 

Who  set  the  firmament  in  place 

And  its  infinitudes  unfolds, — 

Come  what  come  may  of  hap  or  chance, 

He  is  your  sure  deliverance. 


If  but  as  Pilot  by  your  side 
He  sits,  upon  Whose  breath  you  ride, 
[43] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


ON  EAGLES'  WINGS   (continued) 

He  shall  preserve  you  from  alarms, 
Spread  wide  His  everlasting  arms, 
And  bear  you  safely  up  on  high 
In  His  most  noble  com.pany. 

No  sparrow  falls  but  it  is  known 

Of  Him  who  sits  on  Heaven's  high  throne; 

And  you,  in  your  supremest  hour. 

Shall  feel  the  uplift  of  His  power, 

And  know  you  not  alone. 

Alone?    Alone? 
None  is  alone ! 
For  where  is  one. 
There  He  is  too. — 
No  man  goeth  alone  I 

Higher  than  most,  to  you  is  given 

To  live — or  in  His  time,  to  die ; 

So,  bear  you  as  White  Knights  of  Heaven — 

The  very  flower  of  chivalry! 

Take  Him  as  Pilot  by  your  side, 

And  "All  is  Well!"  whate'er  betide. 


[44] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SEARCHLIGHTS 

The  searchlights  sweep  the  sombre  skies,- 
Slow-wheeling, — focussed  here  and  there. 
To  catch  the  lurking  treacheries 
Within  their  wide-flung  whirling  snare; 
And  when  they  find  the  hidden  foe 
The  eager  hunters  lay  him  low. 

God's  mightier  beams  are  searching  out 
The  Soul  of  Life  and  lighting  it, 
That  His  fair  hosts  may  put  to  rout 
The  foes  that  have  been  blighting  it; 
Sweep  clean,  O  Lord,  and  beautify, 
And  come  Thou  in  and  occupy ! 


[45] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


A  LITTLE  TE  DEUM  OF  RENEWALS 

For  Thy  sweet  sunshine  after  nights  of  rain; 

For  Thy  sweet  balm  of  comfort  after  pain; 

For  Thy   sweet  peace   that   ends   a   long-drawn 

strife ; 
For  Thy  sweet  rest  that  ends  a  burdened  life ; 
For  joy,  dispersing  sorrows  as  the  sun 
Sucks  up  the  morning  mists,  and  as  Thy  winds 
Dispel  the  clouds  and  show  the  blue  again, — 
The  deep,  pure,  tenuous,  heavenly  blue  that  seems, 
In  its  infinity  of  tenderness. 
Like  to  Thy  Love,  that  fills  all  time  and  space 
With  Thy  sweet  Spirit^s  all-abounding  grace; 
For  all  Thy  healing  ministries, — 

We  thank  Thee,  Lord. 

For  hearts  estranged,  won  back  to  fellowship, 
And  closer  knit  by  sweet  forgivenesses ; 
For  hearts  made  tenderer  by  fortune's  blows ; 
For  souls  by  sorrows  ripened  in  Thy  love ; 
Yea,  and  for  pain  that  took  our  pride  away, 
And  cast  us  wholly  on  Thy  charity; 
For  darkened  ways  that  led  us  to  the  Light, 

[46] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


A    LITTLE   TE    DEUM    OF   RENEWALS    (con- 
tinued) 

For  blinding  tears  that  yet  renewed  our  sight; 
For  travails  and  perplexities  of  mind 
Through  which  we  wrestled,  nobler  life  to  find, — 
And  found,  beyond  our  craving  souls'  upreach, 
The  wonder  of  the  lessons  Thou  wouldst  teach; 
For  dear  lives  salvaged  from  the  hand  of  Death; 
For  pure  souls'  fiery  purglngs  without  scathe; 
For  answered  prayers  that  showed  Thy  boundless 

love; 
For  prayers  unanswered,  wiser  love  to  prove; 
For  all  Thy  leadings  through  life's  devious  ways, 
With  faith  illumined  and  high  heart  of  grace; — i 
We  thank  Thee,  Lord, 


[47] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


AFTER   THE    STORM 

After  the  storm — Thy  calm, — 

After  the  earthquake,  wind,  and  fire, — ■ 

The  still,  small  voice, 

Which  yet  doth  pierce  the  marrow  of  our  hearts 

And  makes  our  souls  rejoice. 

The   whirlwind   racked   our   Mounts   of  Selfish 
Ease; — 
Thy  Hand  was  in  it,  hut  we  did  not  see. 
The    earthquake     shook    our    proud-built    but- 
tresses;— 
Thy  Hand  was  in  it,  hut  we  could  not  see. 
The  fire  devoured  our  bravest  and  our  best; — 

Thy  Hand  was  in  it,  hut  we  would  not  see. 
But  now  .  .  .  Thy  ways  are  manifest. 

And,  dimly,  Lord,  we  see. 

Wrapped  in  the  mantle  of  our  sorrows,  now 
Before  Thee  in  the  cavern's  mouth  we  stand; 
Behind  us, — all  Thy  mysteries  of  woe ; 
Before  us, — visions  of  Thy  Promised  Land. 

[48] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


AFTER  THE  STORM  (continued) 

A  land  swept  clean  by  earthquake,  storm,  and 

fire, — 
A  land  wherein  Thy  Spirit  may  rejoice, 
Where  Faith  and  Hope,  with  Love  enthroned, 

conspire 
To  build  Thy  Kingdom  of  the  still,  small  voice. 

That  still,  small  voice  that  yet  proclaims  Thy  will. 

Above  the  thunders  of  the  battle-plain. 

That  bids  man  his  high  destiny  fulfil. 

And  rise,  and  reap  in  full  Thy  golden  grain. 

Thou  hast  made  chaos  of  our  old  content. 
Purged  us  with  fire,  and  winnowed  us  with  woe; 
We  were  forgetting  that  Thy  gifts  are  meant 
Only  to  wean  us  from  the  things  below. 

Yea,  we  forgot  that  all  life's  joys  are  sent. 
Not  as  an  end,  but  of  Thy  favour  lent 
For  our  poor  natures'  sweet  encouragement. 
And  for  our  souls'  most  high  ennoblement. 

Help  us  to  purge  us  of  those  lower  things. 
Which,  growing,  brought  this  world-catastrophe ! 
Help  us  to  build,  of  these  our  sufferings. 
Temples  of  Grace  all  dedicate  to  Thee ! 

[49] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE   VALLEY   OF   DECISION 

The  World  is  In  the  Valley  of  Decision; 

It  is  standing  at  the  parting  of  the  ways; 

Will  It  climb  the  Steps  of  God  to  realms  elyslan, — 

Or  fall  on  horror  of  still  darker  days? 

Will  It  free  itself  from  every  shameful  shackle? 
Will  It  claim  the  glorious  freedom  of  the  brave? 
Will  it  lose  the  soul  of  Life  in  this  debacle, 
And  sink  Into  a  mean  dishonoured  grave? 

All  the  world  is  in  the  Valley  of  Decision, 
And  out  of  it  there  is  but  one  sure  road; 
Eyes  unsealed  can  still  foresee  the  mighty  vision 
Of  a  world  In  travail  turning  unto  God. 

All  the  world  is  In  the  Valley  of  Decision. 
Who  shall  dare  Its  future  destiny  foretell? 
Will  it  yield  Its  soul  unto  the  Heavenly  Vision, 
Or  sink  despairing  Into  its  own  hell? 


[50] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE    GOAL   AND   THE   WAY 


The  future  lies 
With  those  whose  eyes 
Are  wide  to  the  necessities, 
And  wider  still 
With  fervent  will, 
To  all  the  possibilities. 


Times  big  with  fate 

Our  wills  await, 

If  we  be  ripe  to  occupy; 

If  we  be  bold 

To  seize  and  hold 

This  new-born  soul  of  liberty. 


And  every  man 
Not  only  can, 

But  must  the  great  occasion  seize. 
Never  again 
Will  he  attain 

Such  wondrous  opportunities. 
[51] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  GOAL  AND  THE  WAY  (continued) 

Be  strong!    Be  true! 

Claim  your  soul's  due ! 

Let  no  man  rob  you  of  the  prize ! 

The  goal  is  near, 

The  way  Is  clear, 

Who  falters  now  shames  God,  and  dies. 


[52] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THROUGH   THE    VALLEY 

As  I  walk  through  the  Valley  of  Shadows 

No  evil  do  I  fear, 

The  Staff  of  Thy  Love  doth  comfort  me, 

Thy  Rod  Itself  hath  cheer; 

For  they  guide  me  with  care  to  the  pastures  fair 

Where  the  living  waters  flow, 

Where  the  shadows  give  place  to  the  Sun  of  Thy 

grace 
And  Thy  Passlon-Flowers  grow. 

So  I  come  through  the  Valley  of  Shadows; 

It  was  very  drear  and  dark, 

For  Death  had  been  reaping  his  harvest  there 

And  had  left  It  bare  and  stark. 

But  the  shadowy  way  climbs  up  to  the  day, 

And  I  press  on  with  heart  elate. 

For  the  end  of  my  quest  Is  the  shining  crest, 

And  a  wide-flung  Open  Gate. 

And  One  hath  a  sumptuous  table  spread. 
Inside  the  Open  Gate, 
And  there,  with  welcoming  hands  and  face, 

[53] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THROUGH  THE  VALLEY  (continued) 

My  coming  He  doth  wait. 

And  His  greeting  sweet  doth  my  joy  complete, 

As  He  draws  me  in  to  rest, 

For  I  know  that  the  road  I  so  wearily  trod 

Is  the  way  His  Love  dreamed  best. 

And  there,  of  His  radiant  company. 

Full  many  a  one  I  see, 

Who  has  won  through  the  Valley  of  Shadows 

To  the  larger  liberty. 

Even  there,  in  the  grace  of  the  heavenly  place, 

It  is  joy  to  meet  mine  own, 

And  to  know  that  not  one  but  has  valiantly  won 

By  the  way  of  the  Cross,  his  crown. 


[54] 


THE  VISIOX  SPLENDID 


VISIOiNS 

Thank  God  for  Vision  of  the  brighter  day, 
That  dawns  at  last  beyond  this  rough  red  way! 
New  life  is  there  for  those  who  dare, — 
A  life  that  all  these  sufferings  shall  repay; — 

A  life  set  free  from  all  the  grosser  things 

That  warped  our  souls  and  bound  the  Spirit's 

wings, — 
An  entrance  fair  to  larger  air, 
And  certitude  of  nobler  prosperings. 

Only  have  vision  and  bold  enterprise ! 
No  task  too  great  for  men  of  unsealed  eyes; 
The  Future  stands  with  outstretched  hands, 
Press  on  and  claim  its  high  supremacies ! 


[55] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


HIS   LATCH-KEY 

X"/  am  sending  you  all  my  keys  except  the 
latch.  That  I  will  keep,  so  that  some  day,  when 
I  get  leave,  I  may  walk  in  on  you  unexpectedly 
and  give  you  a  surprise. '' 

— In  a  letter  from  the  Front,) 

And  long  .  .  .  long  .  .  .  long  we  waited 

For  the  sound  that  would  tell  he  was  here, 

For  the  sound  that  would  tell  us  our  vigil  was  o'er, 

And  our  hearts  need  be  anxious  no  more,^ 

For  that  sweetest  of  sounds  that  could  fall  on  the 

ear 
Of  those  who  had  lived  on  the  knife-edge   of 

fear, — 
The  sound  of  his  key  in  the  door; — 
The  sound  of  all  sounds  that  could  bring  back 

life's  cheer. 
And  comfort  our  hearts  that  were  sore. 
O  the  ears  of  our  souls  strained  as  never  before, 
For  that  sound  of  all  sounds  that  our  joy  would 

restore, — 
The  sound  of  his  key  in  the  door. 

[56] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


HIS  LATCH-KEY  (continued) 

And  we  said,  ''We  shall  know  when  our  boy's  on 

the  way." 
And  we  said,  "We  shall  know  when  he's  near. 
His  step  we  shall  catch  while  it's  still  far  away, 
And  with  it  an  end  to  our  fear." 
"But,"  we  said, — "we  will  wait  for  his  key  in  the 

door. 
For  the  sound  that  shall  tell  us  our  waiting  is 

o'er, — 
For  the  joy  of  its  rattle,  so  gallant  and  gay, 
As  we've  heard  it  so  often  of  yore. 
O  yes,  we  shall  know  ere  he  reaches  the  door, 
For  his  guardian  angel  will  fly  on  before 
To  tell  us  he's  on  the  way." 

And  so  we  waited,  by  night  and  by  day, 

For  the  sound  that  would  all  our  long  waiting 

repay, — 
For  the  sound  of  his  key  in  the  door. 

But  now, — 

Well  ....  "All's     Well!"  ....  but     we're 

waiting  no  more 
For  the  sound  of  his  key  in  the  door. 
It  lies  with  him  there  in  his  lowly  grave, 

[57] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


HIS  LATCH-KEY  (continued) 

Out  there  at  the  Front,  where  his  all  he  gave 

Our  lives  and  the  Soul  of  Life  to  save, 

And  our  hopeful  vigil  is  o'er. 

For  now  it  is  he  who  is  waiting  for  us, 

On  the  other  side  of  The  Door; 

And  Another  stands  with  him  there,  waiting  for 

us, 
And  the  sound  of  our  key  in  That  Door. 


[58] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


COMFORT   YEl 


In  that  sweet  after-life, 

When  time  is  done, 

And  loving  hearts  again  are  one 

In  perfect  union, 

You  shall  look  back  and  say, — » 

"And  did  I  mourn  that  he 

Passed  on  in  front  of  me 

By  just  one  day? 

The  time  indeed  seemed  long  to  me, 

And  hushed  my  song  in  misery; 

But,  in  the  light  of  this  eternity, 

'Twas  but  a  span, — just  a  short  winter's  day,- 

Soon  past, 

And  by  these  present  joys  far  overpassed." 

II. 

I  see  their  shining  eyes, 
Their  glad  and  eager  faces 
Waiting  to  welcome  us 
To  the  heavenly  places. 

[59] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


COMFORT  YE!   (continued) 

And  how  shall  we  complain 

Of  our  own  loss  and  pain, 

When  unto  them  we  know  the  change 

Is  all  eternal  gain? 

III. 

Ah — how  we  miss  him — 

Every  hour  of  every  day! 

Life,  since  he  went,  has  been  a  grey 

Dull  way,  wherein  we  stray 

Neighboured  with  grief,  and  blinded  with  dismay. 


Never  to  see  him  more  1 — 

To  hear  his  voice ! — to  see  his  face  again ! 

Lord,  it  is  sore  beyond  our  ken, — 

How  shall  our  hearts  endure 

Discomfiture  so  great  and  such  vast  forfeiture? 

And  yet,  our  faith  dare  not  gainsay 
Thy  love  in  taking  him  away. 
Such  good  is  his,  such  perfect  bliss, 
How  could  we  wish  him  back  in  this 
Small  world  of  grim  perplexities? 

[60] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


COMFORT  YE!    (continued) 

And,  of  a  truth,  at  times  he  feels  so  near,- 

Nearer  in  very  deed 

Than  when  we  had  him  here, — 

That  we  are  comforted. 

We  cast  despair  and  put  away  our  fear. 

We  shall  not  see  him  here  again; 
To  us  he  may  not  come ; 
But  when  at  last  we  shall  attain 
The  heavenly  place,  be  his  dear  face 
The  first  to  greet  us  in  Thy  grace 
And  bid  us  ''Welcome  Home!" 


[61] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SWEET   LAVENDER 

The  pains  of  hell  had  gotten  hold  of  him; 
He  longed  for  death. 

Dim  were  his  eyes,  feeble  his  pulse,  and  grim 
His  laboured  breath. 


His  nurses'  hearts  were  wrung  with  woe  for  him, 
So  sore  his  plight; 

His  cup  of  anguish  trembled  to  the  brim 
Without  respite. 


Sleep  came  not  near  to  succour  him.    All  day 
He  longed  for  night ; 

And  through  the  dim  night-watches  still  he  lay 
Craving  the  light. 


'*He  cannot  stand  it  long**  they  said.    And  yet 
He  did  not  die. 

And  each  new  thing  they  tried  seemed  but  to  whet 
His  agony. 

[62] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SWEET  LAVENDER   (continued) 

^'Unless   he  sleeps,   he  dies  J'  ....  The   sands 

ran  low, 
But  nought  availed 

To  check  the  on-come  of  the  ruthless  foe, — •. 
Pain  still  prevailed. 

Then  one,  In  pity,  on  his  pillow  laid 

A  tiny  bag 

Of  lavender,  the  simplest  thing, — rough-made 

Of  silken  rag. 

Pale  blue  It  was,  like  the  Madonna's  gown, — 
Or  English  skies 

In  Springtime,  when  the  sweet  bright  days  en- 
throne 
Life's  ecstasies. 

^Whafs  thatf^ — the  sufferer  groaned,  and  sensed 

Its  sweet 
With  eagerness. 
'^Sweet    lavender   from    homel^  ....  and   the 

word  beat 
Through  his  distress. 

[63] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SWEET  LAVENDER  (continued) 

Sweet     lavender     from     home! .  it 

wafted  him 
Across  the  seas, — 

He  saw  the  path,  the  stile,  the  stream  abrim, 
The  sunlit  trees, — 

Where    he    and    one    had   wandered,    heart    to 

heart, — 
Wedded  that  day, — 

With  four  days  more  before  they  two  must  part, — 
He  to  the  fray. 

And  she  had  pelted  him  with  lavender's 
Sweet  budding  sprays, 

And  like  to  heaven  had  been  his  love  and  hers 
Those  five  full  days. 

He  smiled,  through  all  the  torment  of  his  pain, — 

And  then, he  slept; 

And  all  the  ward,  to  salvage  such  great  gain, 
On  tip-toe  crept. 

They  know  not  whom  to  thank  for  that  sweet 

grace  ;— 
Their  hearts  go  out 

[64] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SWEET  LAVENDER   (continued) 

To  you, — and  you, — in  gratitude,  in  case 
'Twas  your  good  thought. 

That  tiny  silken  bag  they  hold,  you  see, 
Beyond  all  price, 

For,  under  God,  three  lives  it  saved,  maybe 
For  Paradise. 


[65] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


ATONEMENT 

At  one  with  Thee! — 
Earth's  cares  are  gone. 
What  matters  else, 
With  Thee  at  one? 


[66] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


MOOR-MAIDEN 

No  sweeter  maid  e'er  trod  the  moor, 
No  saint  more  fitly  shrined; 
She  loves  the  little  things  of  God, 
And  knows  His  larger  mind; 
She  passes  through  the  outer  wards 
And  sees  the  things  behind. 


She  is  a  Queen,  of  hearts  and  souls, 

Her  kingdom  has  no  ends ; 

And  when  the  troubled  seek  her  help 

Their  wounds  she  gently  tends. 

And  never  a  soul  but  she  makes  whole, 

Because  she  comprehends. 


There,  from  her  amethystine  throne. 
She  quietly  surveys 
The  doings  of  the  outer  world, 
And  muses  on  its  ways ; 
And  when  things  get  beyond  her  ken 
She  to  her  knees  and  prays. 
[67] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


MOOR-MAIDEN   (continued) 

And  prayer  with  her  is  powerful, 

And  so  doth  much  avail. 

Before  the  Lord  she  pours  her  soul 

In  commune  mystical; 

And,  since  her  life  is  given  to  Him 

She  with  Him  doth  prevail. 


[68] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SANCTUARY 

'Mid  all  the  traffic  of  the  ways,- 
Turmoils  without,  within, — 
Make  in  my  heart  a  quiet  place, 
And  come  and  dwell  therein  I 


— A  little  shrine  of  quietness, 

All  sacred  to  Thyself, 

Where  Thou  shalt  all  my  soul  possess, 

And  I  may  find  myself; 


— ^A  little  shelter  from  Life's  stress, 
Where  I  may  lay  me  prone, 
And  bare  my  soul  in  lowliness. 
And  know  as  I  am  known; 


— ^A  solitude  where  I  can  think, 
A  haven  of  retreat. 

Where  of  Thy  Red  Wine  I  may  drink, 
And  of  Thy  White  Bread  eat; 
[69] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SANCTUARY   (continued) 

— A  little  silent  sacred  place, 
Where  we  may  commune  hold; 
Where  Thy  White  Love  shall  me  embrace 
And  from  the  world  enfold; 

— A  little  place  of  mystic  grace, 
Of  self  and  sin  swept  bare, 
Where  I  may  look  Into  Thy  face, 
And  talk  with  Thee  in  prayer. 

Come! — occupy  my  silent  place. 
And  make  Thy  dwelling  there ! 
More  grace  is  wrought  in  quietness 
Than  any  is  aware. 


[70] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


IN   THE    MASTER'S   GARDEN 

The  Master  walked  In  His  garden, 
Among  the  growing  flowers, 
And  the  drooping  ones  and  the  thirsty 
He  cheered  with  cooling  showers  I 


And  here  and  there  He  checked  a  growth 
With  His  loving  prunlng-knife, 
That  the  plant  more  graciously  might  grow, 
And  have  a  richer  life. 


And  as  He  slowly  passed  along, 

The  beauty-growths  He  scanned, 

And  bent  and  plucked  one,  here  and  there, 

And  carried  it  in  His  hand. 


And  some,  with  wondrous  tenderness, 
To  His  lips  He  gently  pressed. 
And  fervent  blessings  breathed  on  them, 
And  laid  them  In  His  breast. 
[71] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


IN  THE  MASTER'S  GARDEN   (continued) 

Not  a  flower  that  the  Master  gathers 
Ever  closes  or  withers  away, 
But  sweeter  still  and  fairer  grows 
In  the  light  of  His  full  day. 


[72] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


GOD'S   SUNSHINE 

Never — once — since  the  world  began 
Has  the  sun  ever  once  stopped  shining. 
His  face  very  often  we  could  not  see, 
And  we  grumbled  at  his  inconstancy ; 
But  the  clouds  were  really  to  blame,  not  he, 
For,  behind  them,  he  was  shining. 

And  so — ^behind  life's  darkest  clouds, 
God's  love  is  always  shining. 
We  vail  it  at  times  with  our  faithless  fears. 
And  darken  our  sight  with  our  foolish  tears, 
But  in  time  the  atmosphere  always  clears, 
For  His  love  is  always  shining. 


[73] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


LOVE    EVER   GIVES 

Love  ever  gives, — 

Forgives — outlives, — • 

And  ever  stands 

With  open  hands. 

And,  while  it  lives, 

It  gives. 

For  this  is  Love's  prerogative,- 

To  give, — and  give, — and  give. 


[74] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


LITTLE    BROWN    SISTER 

O  sweet  ....  sweet  ....  sweet, 

Little  soul  of  musical  lire  ! — 

Sweet-sweet-sweet    ....    sweet   ....    sweet 

....  sweet  ....  sweet. 
Little  passion  of  pure  white  fire ! — 
Sweet-sweet-sweet  ....  sweet-sweet-sweet  .... 

sweet  ....  sweet 
Little  spirit  of  silvery  fire, 
All  athrob  with  high  desire. 
Ever  higher,  higher,  higher, 
To  the  gates  of  heaven  aspire. 
Heart  and  wings  that  never  tire. 
Throat  of  rippling  silvery  fire, — 
Sweet-sweet-sweet   ....    sweet   ....    sweet 

....  sweet  ....  sweet! 
How  they  all  in  you  conspire 
To  lift  you  higher,  higher. 
Ever  nigher,  nigher,  nigher. 
To  the  heart  of  your  desire ! 
Sweet-sweet-sweet   ....   sweet  ....   sweet 

....  sweet  ....  sweet. 
Little  soul  of  silvery  fire, 

[75] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


LITTLE  BROWN  SISTER  (continued) 

In  yourself  a  perfect  choir, 

A  heavenly  choir  entire, — 

Of  sweetest,  purest,  rarest,  fairest, 

White-hot  high  desire! 

O     sweet  ....  sweet  ....  sweet-sweet-sweet 

....  sweet  ....  sweet 
Little  soul  of  magical  fire  1 


[76] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE    BALLAD   OF   JIM    BAXTER 

Jim  Baxter  was  the  coarsest  clay 
That  ever  was  turned  out; 
But  a  very  first-class  fighting-man, 
Of  that  there  was  no  doubt. 

He'd  fought  since  ever  he  could  crawl, 
And  generally  won; 
Because  he  never  could  be  brought 
To  see  that  he  was  done. 

So  when  the  war  came,  Jim  was  off, — * 
Among  the  first  to  go. 
Though  what  the  scrap  was  all  about 
He  didn't  rightly  know. 

He  simply  couldn't  miss  it  when 
There  was  fighting  to  be  done. 
Duty,  he  told  the  wife  and  kids. 
Was  a  thing  no  man  could  shun ; 

This  is  simply  a  name  of  my  own  choosing.  If  perchance  there 
should  be  an  actual  Jim  Baxter  who  might  feel  aggrieved  by  this  use 
of  his  name,  I  take  this  opportunity  [of  stating  that  nothing  herein 
in  any  way  refers  to  him. 

[77] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  BALLAD  OF  JIM  BAXTER  (continued) 

And,  besides,  he  had  a  hankering 
To  see  the  blooming  fun. 


And  he  might  have  been  a  corporal — 
Or  at  all  events  a  lance, — 
If  he  hadn't  been,  week  out,  week  in, — 
For  ever  on  the  prance. 


And  he  might  have  been  a  sergeant, 
If  he  hadn't  played  the  goat; 
For  Jim  was  a  first-class  fighting-man, 
Of  that  there  was  no  doubt. 


And  he  might  have  been  a  Q.-M.-S., 
If  he  hadn't  been  a  fool; 
But,  though  a  first-class  fighting-man, 
He  had  been  no  good  at  school. 


He  drank  enough  for  ten  good  men, 
He  swore  till  all  was  blue ; 
And  non.-coms.  never  drink  or  swear. 
Or  do  what  they  shouldn't  do. 

[78] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  BALLAD  OF  JIM  BAXTER  (continued) 

So  Jim  remained  a  private, — 
When  he  wasn't  In  the  jug; 
And  hated  sergeants,  large  and  small, 
And  didn't  care  a  plug. 

He  liked  the  padre  just  as  much, 
And  heeded  not  his  talk; 
And  when  the  good  man  tackled  him. 
He  always  tried  to  balk. 

Then  came  the  day,  when,  blithe  and  gay, 
They  smashed  the  German  line. 
And  Jim  was  first  man  in  the  trench, 
Fighting  like  any  nine. 

They  held  it  for  an  hour  or  more, 
While  their  supports  in  rear. 
Instead  of  coming,  lost  their  way, 
And  threw  things  out  of  gear. 

And  then  the  huns  came  swarming  back. 
And  word  was  given  to  quit; 
But  Jim  was  fighting  as  he  drank 
And  paid  no  heed  to  it. 

[79] 

\ 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  BALLAD  OF  JIM  BAXTER  (continued) 

Their  cartridges  had  given  out, 
SuppHes  had  gone  astray; 
'Twas  time  to  go  if  they  would  live 
To  fight  another  day. 

"Blank — blanketty — blank !"         the         Sergeant 

roared, — 
*'Back  lads !— They're  ten  to  one !" 
Then  something  took  him  in  the  chest, — ^ 
*'Back  lads  I"  he  groaned,  'T'm  done/' 

But  Jim  was  not  the  kind  to  leave 
A  comrade  in  distress, 
Although  he  was  the  awkwardest 
Of  all  the  Sergeants'  mess. 

So  Jim,  he  straddled  over  him 
And  kept  the  huns  at  bay. 
And,  with  both  butt  and  bayonet, 
Made  wonderful  fine  play. 

He  fought  like  ten  big  fighting-men, 
But  huns  have  no  respect 
For  valour  in  an  enemy, 
They  deem  It  incorrect. 

[80] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  BALLAD  OF  JIM  BAXTER  (continued) 

So  Jim  went  down  plugged  full  of  holes; 
But  he  was  hard  to  kill, 
And,  while  he  lay  unconscious,  they 
Worked  out  their  evil  will. 

When  Jim  came  to,  he  found  himself 
Nailed  to  a  cross  of  wood, 
Just  like  the  Christs  you  find  out  there 
On  every  country  road. 

He  wondered  dully  If  he'd  died, 

And  so  become  a  Christ; 

^'Perhaps,"  he  thought,  "all  men  are  Christs 

When  they  are  crucified." 

His  strength  was  ebbing  with  his  blood, 
His  hands  and  feet  were  dead. 
Fierce  biting  pains  shot  from  the  nails 
And  blazed  within  his  head. 

Below,  a  mob  of  jeering  huns 
Mocked  at  his  woful  plight. 
They  bade  him  loose  himself,  and  come 
Down  for  another  fight. 

[81] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  BALLAD  OF  JIM  BAXTER  (continued) 

"Christ!" — groaned    Jim    Baxter,    through    his 

teeth, 
And  meant  no  ill  thereby; — > 
It  was  his  usual  expletive 
And  came  most  readily. 


"Christ!" — groaned    Jim    Baxter,    through    his 

teeth, 
"D'you  call  .  .  .  this  .  .  .  fighting  fair? 
Just  loose  me  hands  .  .  .  and  loose  me  feet  .... 
An'  I'd  lick  you  still  ....  I  swear. 


"Christ!" — groaned    Jim    Baxter,    through    his 

teeth, 
As  the  pangs  took  hold  of  him, — 
"I'm  going  quick  ...  a  dirty  trick  .  .  ." 
His  eyes  were  growing  dim. 


But,  suddenly,  he  raised  his  head. 

His  eyes  shone  clear  and  bright. 

And  opened  wide  ....  for,  at  his  side, 

Stood  One  clothed  all  in  white. 

[82] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  BALLAD  OF  JIM  BAXTER  (continued) 

The  sun  broke  through  the  morning  mist 
And  bathed  them  in  Its  light, — 
Jim  Baxter  nailed  upon  his  cross, 
And  The  Other  all  in  white. 

His  face  was  wondrous  pitiful, 

But  still  more  wondrous  sweet; 

And  Jim  saw  holes  just  like  his  own 

In  His  white  hands  and  feet; 

But  His  look  It  was  that  won  Jim's  heart, 

It  was  so  wondrous  sweet. 

"Christ!" — said  the  dying  man  once  more, 

With  accent  reverent. 

He  had  never  said  It  so  before, 

But  he  knew  now  what  Christ  meant; — 

"Christ"  meant  a  friend  In  time  of  need, 
In  spite  of  foes, — a  friend  Indeed; 
That  was  quite  evident, — 
A  friend  who  drew  his  heart  right  out, 
And  for  his  soul  did  plead. 
Jim  gave  In  full,  heart,  mind  and  soul. 
In  deep  acknowledgment. 

[83] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  BALLAD  OF  JIM  BAXTER  (continued) 

And  then,  through  all  his  deadly  pains, 
He  bravely  smiled  ....  and  sighed, — 
Just  one  long  sigh  of  deep  content, 
Then  dropped  his  head  ....  and  died. 

His  comrades  took  the  trench  next  day, 
And  found  him  nailed  up  there, 
With  a  smile  of  grace  upon  his  face, 
But  never  a  sign  of  care. 

And  there,  on  his  cross,  they  burled  him, 
Against  a  Judgment  Day; 
Not  That  Great  Day, — but  a  nearer  one. 
That  draweth  on  as  the  war  is  won, 
When,  for  the  evil  they  have  done, 
The  doers  of  ill  shall  pay. 


[84] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE    OUTER    GUARD 

Bold  Watchers  of  the  deeps, 
Guards  of  the  Greater  Ways, 
How  shall  our  swelling  hearts  express 
Our  heights  and  depths  of  thankfulness 
For  these  safe-guarded  days! 

Grim  Is  your  vlgU  there, 
Black  day  and  blacker  night,— 
Watching  for  life,  while  knavish  death 
Lurks  all  around,  above,  beneath, 
Waiting  his  chance  to  smite. 

Your  hearts  are  stouter  than 

The  worst  that  Death  can  do. 

Our  thoughts  for  you ! — our  prayers  for  you 

There's  One  aloft  that  cares  for  you, 

And  He  will  see  you  through. 

Don't  think  we  e'er  forget 
The  debt  we  owe  to  you ! 
Never  a  night  but  we  pray  for  you! 
Never  a  day  but  we  say  for  you, — 

[85] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  OUTER  GUARD   (continued) 

**God  bless  the  gallant  lads  In  blue ! 
With  mighty  strength  their  hearts  renew. 
Bless  every  ship  and  every  crew ! 
Give  every  man  his  rightful  due ! 
And  bring  them  all  safe  through  I" 


[86] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


YOU   ALSO! 

To  whom  'was  denied  the  chance  of  doing  all 
you  would  have  wished  to  do.  Some  of  you  died 
by  accident,  some  by  disease,  sojue  by  sheer  hard- 
ship and  overwork.  No  matter.  Duty  is  duty, 
wheresoever  'tis  done.  So  long  as  you  died  on 
duty  you  share,  full  equal  with  the  rest,  the  grati- 
tude  of  all  our  hearts. 

And  you,  to  whom  it  was  not  given 
To  die  upon  the  foughten  field, — 
Yes,  you  full  equally  have  striven, 
For  you  your  lives  did  yield 
As  nobly  as  the  men  who  fell. 
There  in  the  blazing  mouth  of  hell. 

Not  in  the  wild  rush  of  the  fight 
God  saw  it  meet  for  you  to  die. 
Yet  he  who  keeps  his  armour  bright 
His  Lord  doth  magnify. 
You  answered  equally  The  Call, 
And  he  who  gives  himself  gives  all. 
[87] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


YOU  ALSO!   (continued) 

Duty  is  duty,  wheresoe'er 

'Tis  done,  and  no  man  can  do  more 

Than,  in  the  testing-time,  prepare 

To  prove  him  conqueror. 

Or  here  or  there — no  matter  where, 

Who  dies  for  Right  hath  done  his  share, 

And  shall  the  victor's  laurel  wear. 


[88] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


OUR    WOUNDED 

Britain,  too  often,  once  the  struggle  ended, 
You  have  forgotten  where  your  duty  lay; 
Your  sons,  who  with  their  lives  your  life  defended, 
You  have  left  stranded  on  life's  dreary  way. 


Your  promises  were  all  too  soon  forgotten; 
The  land  was  strewn  with  wreckage  of  your  wars; 
The  woes  by  your  indifference  begotten 
You    left    untended  ....  But    you    bore    the 
scars ; — 


Scars  deep  and  ghastly  on  your  reputation, 
Smirches  and  blemishes  on  your  fair  fame; 
See  to  it  now, — nor  sign  your  abdication ! 
See  to  it  now, — nor  bow  our  heads  with  shame ! 


If  one  brave  broken  soul  you  leave  unfriended. 
The  world  will  know  your  own  soul's  life  Is  dead. 
Then  shall  your  hope  of  dominance  be  ended; — 
Worthless  the  body  whence  the  soul  is  fled. 

[89] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


OUR  WOUNDED   (continued) 

Hereby  the  world  shall  test  your  right  to  headship, 
Hereby  shall  know  if  you  are  sound  at  heart, 
Or  if  your  soul  is  sunken  in  the  dead  sleep 
Of  those  who  value  not  "the  better  part/' 


[90] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


PRISONERS    OF   WAR 

And  you ! — ay,  yours  Indeed  Is  hardest  fate, 
Imprisoned  there,  behind  the  bars  of  hate, 
Victims  of  low  malignity  and  scorn. 
Your  sole  offence  that  you  are  British-born. 

Harder  than  hardest  of  the  camp  or  field, 
To  bear  in  time  of  stress  a  virgin  shield, — ■ 
To  hear  the  distant  echoes  of  the  fray, 
Yet  be  debarred  one  single  stroke  to  essay. 

Yet  you  do  serve,  who  only  stand  and  wait 
And  bear  you  bravely,  nor  In  aught  abate 
Of  your  high  courage,  but,  with  heads  erect, 
E'en  from  your  jailers  still  command  respect. 

You  serve  the  state  by  bearing  you  as  those 
Whom,  undeserving,  nought  can  discompose, 
You,  too,  your  country's  flag  can  hold  on  high, 
By  your  high  bearing  in  captivity. 


[91] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


*^COME   AT   ONCE  I" 

"Wounded  ....  shrapnel  ....  in  the  head, 
Don't  worry — fine  to  be  in  bed." 

"Can't  write  much  ....  am  very  well  .... 
But  coddling  still  a  bit  of  shell." 

"Slow  of  healing  ....  soon  all  right. 
Sorry  gave  you  such  a  fright." 

"Longer  here  than  I  expected; 
Somewhat  limp,  but  not  dejected." 

"Not  so  well  ....  bit  slack  ....  and  tired; 
Progress  slower  than  desired." 


"Hope  to  see  you  soon  again. 
Rather  rotten  ....  can't  say  when 


j> 


*^Come  at  once!'^ — official  message. 
Hearts  sink  low  at  its  grim  presage. 

[92] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


"COME  AT  ONCE!"   (continued) 

Speeding  south  ....  our  hearts  outpace  us; 
Faithless  fears  well-nigh  disgrace  us. 


Sympathetic  faces  greet  us 

He  had  come  half-way  to  meet  us. 

He  Is  gone.    We  follow  slowly, 
Treasuring  a  memory  holy. 

He  Is  gone,  ....  yet  he  is  near  us; 
Maybe  he  can  see  and  hear  us. 

Yes,  we  feel  him  nearer,  dearer; 

Tears  have  washed  our  souls'  eyes  clearer. 


[93] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


DE    MORTUIS   NIL 


*'0f  the  dead  no  ill  word  speak  I" 

Full  fitly  said, — 

For  the  dead — God  wot — 

Can  answer  not 

To  any  ill  word  spread. 

But,  if  our  little  race 

To  heights  like  that  can  rise, 

God  surely  will  no  less. 

Since  His  clear  comprehending  eyes 

See  all  the  workings  of  the  soul, 

And  see  it  whole,  without  disguise. 

If  our  small  charity  can  vail 

The  darker  shadows  of  life's  tale, 

Shall  He  do  less, 

Whose  judgments  are  all  righteousness, 

Whose  justice  still  is  grace  ? 


[94] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


ONE    MOTHER 

My  Son!    My  Son! 

Would  God  that  I  had  died  for  thee ! 

For  my  full  course  is  well  nigh  run, 

But  thine,  In  its  sweet  ecstasy, 

Was  scarce  begun. 

Yet  now  is  done; — yet — now — is — done! 

Would  God  that  I  had  died  for  thee, 

My  Son!    My  Son! 

Was  it  for  this  I  travailled  sore? — 

My  Son!    My  Son! 

— To  see  thee  ere  thy  prime  undone  ? 

Flesh  of  my  flesh,  a  man  I  bore, — 

Bone  of  my  bone ! — 

And  now  have  none; — and — now — have — none! 

Was  it  for  this  I  travailled  sore? 

My  Son!    My  Son! 

Yet,  Lord,  can  I  deny  Thee  ought? 
— My  Son!    My  Son! — 
For  was  it  not  Thine  Only  One 
Who  my  dear  one's  salvation  wrought, 

[95] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


ONE  MOTHER  (continued) 

The  Cross  upon? — 

Thine  Only  One ! — Thine — Only — One! 
I  learn  the  lesson  these  have  taught, — 
My  Son!    Thy  Son! 

Yea,  Lord,  for  all  that  He  hath  done, 
I  yield  to  Him  my  heart  distraught. 
My  life,  my  soul,  my  every  thought. 
From  His  great  Love  I  can  hold  naught  ;- 
Thy  Son!     Thy  Son! — 
Thine — Only — One! 


[96] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE    MEETING-PLACE 


Though  all  the  world  divide  us, 

Yet,  In  Thee, — 

Spirit  of  God, — the  Paraclete, — 

In  holy  fellowship  we  meet, 

And  our  souls  greet 

Each  other  in  communion  sweet. 


Yea, — if  our  faith  and  love  be  strong  enough, 

Here  we  be  one. 

For  time  and  space  are  nought 

In  our  communion. 


Nor  Death  himself  can  part  us  from  our  loved; 
Time,  space,  and  death  are  of  the  earth; 
The  souls  of  all  who  dwell  in  Thee 
Are  Thy  new  birth. 

In  Thee  they  find  release 
From  all  the  bonds  of  frail  humanity, 
And  Freedom,  and  The  Peace 

[97] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  MEETING-PLACE   (continued) 

Which  passeth  knowledge, 
And  security ; 

And,  in  that  sanctuary  sweet, 
Their  souls'  maturity. 


[98] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SOME    BLESSEDS 

Blessed  are  they  that  have  eyes  to  see. 
They  shall  find  God  everywhere. 
They  shall  see  Him  where  others  see  stones. 

Blessed  are  they  that  have  understanding  hearts. 
To  them  shall  be  multiplied  Kingdoms  of  De- 
light. 

Blessed  are  they  that  see  visions. 

They  shall  rejoice  in  the  hidden  ways  of  God. 

Blessed  are  the  song-ful  of  soul. 

They  carry  light  and  joy  to  shadowed  lives. 

Blessed  are   they   who  rejoice  in   the  power  of 
prayer. 
They  draw  very  near  to  God. 

Blessed  are  they  who  know  the  power  of  Love, 
They  dwell  in  God,  for  God  is  Love. 
[99] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SOME  BLESSEDS   (continued) 

Blessed  are  the  dead. 
For  they  are  with  God. 

Blessed  are  the  living. 

For  they  can  still  serve  God. 

Blessed  are  they  who  rejoice  in  their  children. 
To  them  is  revealed  the  Father-Motherhood  of 
God. 

Blessed  are  the  childless,  loving  children  still. 
Theirs  shall  be  a  mightier  family, 
Even  as  the  stars  of  heaven. 

Blessed  are  the  souls  kept  virgin  for  mankind. 
Unto  them  shall  be  given  unbounded  kingdoms 
of  great  joy. 

Blessed  are  the  faithful  strong. 
They  are  the  right  hands  of  God. 

Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  peace, — 
If  they  forget  not  God. 
[100] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SOME  BLESSEDS  (continued) 

Blessed  are  they  that  jight  for  the  Right, 
They  shall  save  their  souls, 
For  God  is  with  them. 

Blessed  are  they  whose  memories  we  cherish. 
Our  thoughts  add  jewels  to  their  crowns. 

Blessed  are  they  who,  through  tribulation^  have 
come  to  perfect  trust  in  God. 
Theirs  is  the  peace  which  passeth  understand- 
ing. 

Blessed  are  the  burdened  of  heart  to  whom  The 
Comforter  has  come. 
They  foretaste  the  joy  of  heaven. 

Blessed  are  the  souls  all  bare  before  God. 

He  shall  clothe  them  with  His  Peace  and  Love. 

Blessed  is  the  people  whose  heart  is  set  on  God, 
It  shall  STAND. 


[101] 


THE  YT^JON  SPLENDID 


THE    SACRAMENT    OF    FOOD! 

Each  meal  should  be  a  sacramental  feast, — - 
A  Eucharist  each  breaking  of  the  bread, 
Wherein  we  meet  again  our  Great  High  Priest, 
And  pledge  new  troth  to  our  exalted  Head. 

For  all  we  eat  doth  come  of  sacrifice, — 
Life  out  of  Death, — since  all  we  eat  must  yield 
Life  for  our  living, — and  yet,  nothing  dies, 
But  in  its  giving  finds  its  life  fulfilled. 

The  wheat,  the  plant,  the  beast,  and  man,  all  give 
Each  of  their  best,  God's  purpose  to  maintain, 
And  all  subserve  the  end  for  which  all  live, 
And  pass, — to  live  more  worthily  again. 


[102] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


AT— ONE— MENT 

At  odds  with  Thee, 

Through  my  inconstancy  !— 

Then  is  my  life 

A  tragedy  of  woe, 

And  voided  of  delight, — 

A  grim  black  night. 

Where  threatening  shadows  come  and  go, 

And  foes  prevail, — 

A  beggary  beyond  the  pale. 

At  which  my  shrinking  soul  in  fear  doth  quail 

At  odds  with  Thee ! — • 

Ah — that  is  misery ! 

At  one  with  Thee ! — 

Ah,  then,  in  truth  no  more 

Am  I  alone. 

As  I  was  heretofore, 

To  face  the  stress  of  life ; 

But  filled  with  power 

That  makes  me  conqueror  in  the  strife, — 

Strong  to  prevail 

When  foes  assail, 

[103] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


AT— ONE— MENT  (continued) 

Or  patient  to  endure, 

And  proof  against  the  world's  most  sweet  allure. 

At  one  with  Thee — 

Is  my  delivery. 


[104] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


KITCHENER 

He  stands  for  ever  on  the  scroll  of  fame 
As  one  who,  by  his  calm  persistence,  overcame 
All  obstacles,  and,  by  his  zealous  faithfulness, 
Built  for  himself  an  imperishable  name. 


He  was  a  man, — 

A  man  above  the  common  run  of  men, 

One  of  the  larger  breed, — 

A  man  who  at  its  highest  did  maintain 

Honour's  high  creed. 


Forethought,  foresight, — 
Indomitable  will,  and  nerve  of  steel, — 
An  Instinct  for  success 
That  did  success  compel, — 
Pre-vlsion  that  contingencies  assessed, — 
Cool    courage    under    stress    that    nought    de- 
pressed,— 
These  were  the  man, — 
Britain  at  her  highest  and  her  best. 
[105] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


KITCHENER  (continued) 

The  forthright  glance 

Of  those  deep  steadfast  eyes  of  his 

Pierced  like  a  sword  life's  small  hypocrisies, 

And  saw,  behind,  the  graver  urgencies. 

He  nothing  left  to  chance, 

Nor  ever  bowed  to  adverse  circumstance. 

The  cavillings  of  smaller  men 

Disturbed  him  not. 

He  laid  his  course,  won  through. 

And  trust  begot. 

His  was  a  name  to  conjure  with — 

Because  men  trusted  him. 

He  called  for  men. 

And  men  sprang  up  In  legions  to  his  call, — • 

Because  they  trusted  him. 

His  life  was  lofty;  and  In  full  accord 

His  death.    On  duty  exigent  he  went, 

And  on  the  high  tide  of  accomplishment, 

Met  there  his  Over-Lord. 

Like  Viking  bold, 

Like  one  of  the  Kings  of  Old, 

He  passed. 

On  duty  bent, 

[106] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


KITCHENER   (continued) 

Into  the  storm  he  went, 

And  vanished  from  men's  sight; — -> 

Fit  ending  for  a  perfect  knight 

Whose  shield  was  white, 

His  honour  spotless  bright; 

His  tomb,  great  ocean's  bed, — 

Fit  resting-place  for  one 

Who  ne'er  by  man  was  vanquished. 

Like  a  deep  sea  of  unknown  strength 

Was  he.     Now  in  unfathomable  depths  he  lies, 

Master,  at  length,  of  all  the  mysteries; 

And  those  grave  steadfast  eyes  of  his 

Still  watch  Intent  his  country's  destinies. 


[107] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


PROMOTED 

In  the  North  Sea  Battle,  May  31st,  19 16, 
JOHN  TRAVERS  CORNWELL, 
First-Class  Boy,  H.M.S.  "Chester.'* 

The  Commander'ifi'Ch'ief  of  the  Grand  Fleet, 
in  submitting  to  the  Admiralty  his  Report  on  the 
Jutland  Bank  Battle,  includes  the  following  in- 
stance of  devotion  to  duty  recorded  by  Sir  David 
Beatty : — 

^'J  report  from  the  Commanding  Officer  of 
'Chester'  gives  a  splendid  instance  of  devotion  to 
duty.  Boy  (First-Class)  John  Tr avers  Cornwell, 
of  ^Chester/  was  mortally  wounded  early  in  the 
action.  He  nevertheless  remained  standing  alone 
at  a  most  exposed  post,  quietly  awaiting  orders 
till  the  end  of  the  action,  with  the  gun's  crew  dead 
and  wounded  all  around  him.  His  age  was  under 
i6y2  years.  J  regret  that  he  has  since  died,  but  I 
recommend  his  case  for  special  recognition  in  jus- 
tice to  his  memory,  and  as  an  acknowledgment  of 
the  high  example  set  by  him/* 

[108] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


PROMOTED   (continued) 

There  was  his  duty  to  be  done, — 

And  he  did  it. 

No  thought  of  glory  to  be  won; 
There  was  his  duty  to  be  done, — 

And  he  did  it. 

Wounded  when  scarce  the  fight  begun, 
Of  all  his  fellows  left  not  one ; 
There  was  his  duty  to  be  done, — 
And  he  did  it. 

Death's  fiery  hail  he  did  not  shun, 
Fearless  he  stood,  unmoved,  alone, 
Beside  his  eager,  useless  gun; 
There  was  his  duty  to  be  done,— » 

And  he  did  it, 

Britain,  be  proud  of  such  a  son ! — 
Deathless  the  fame  that  he  has  won. 
Only  a  boy, — ^but  such  a  one ! — 
Standing  for  ever  to  his  gun; 
There  was  his  duty  to  be  done, — 

And  he  did  it, 
[109] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


PROMOTED   (continued) 

Let  every  soul  In  all  the  land 
Revere  his  steadfast  loyalty. 
Britain  shall  all  unconquered  stand 
While  she  can  breed  such  sons  as  he. 
His  brave,  short  life  was  nobly  planned 
On  lines  of  perfect  fealty, 
His  death  fulfilled  his  KING'S  command, 
"Aye  ready  be  to  come  to  ME !" 

And  he  did  it. 


[110] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


EDITH  CAVELL 

Dead? 

Who? 

Not  you — for  whom  the  assassin's  hand 

But  opened  wide  the  door  to  larger  life 

And  Immortality! 

You  are  not  dead! — 

You  live  for  ever  in  our  hearts  and  minds, 

A  perfect  woman,  brave,  and  sweet,  and  true, 

Passed,  in  the  gracious  fulness  of  your  time. 

To  nobler  work   for  Him  you   served   so  well. 

And  you  still  work  among  us  as  before, — 
And  more. — 

No  sister-nurse  in  all  the  world  to-day 
But  bears  upon  her  heart  and  face 
The  impress  of  your  soul's  high  martyrdom; 
And  we  pay  each  the  homage  due  to  you. 
All  nursing-hands  are  gentler  still — for  you! 
All  nursing-feet  are  swifter  still — for  you! 
All  nursing-hearts  are  braver  still — for  you! — 
And  all  our  souls  more  loftily  attuned 
By  our  sweet  memory  of  you. 

[Ill] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


EDITH  CAVELL  (continued) 

But  dead — ay,  dead,  in  grimmest  truth, 

The  soul  of  that  poor  land 

That  gave  you  victim  to  its  savage  spleen. 

Dead  to  all  sense  of  right, — 

Dead  to  all  sense  of  shame, — 

Dead  to  mere  decency, — 

And  dead — dead — dead  to  God 

And  His  Fair  Christ. 

The  pity! — oh,  the  pity! — that  a  land 

Which  once  bore  men 

Should  fall  so  low! 

Punishment? 

What  punishment  could  fit  so  foul  a  crime? 

No  punishment  devisable  of  man  were  adequate. 

As  thou  forgavest,  we  can  do  no  less. 

God  saw  it  all. 

In  His  just  balances  it  lies, 

The  crowning  weight  of  their  vast  infamies. 

In  His  own  time,  in  His  own  way. 

For  this — and  all — we  wait  His  Reckoning-Day. 


[112] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


GOOD  ONLY 

If  this  be  good  it  shall  abide. 

If  not, — best  gone. 

Of  that  which  stands  not  in  His  sight 

We  will  have  none. 


[113] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


GERMANIA! 
And    the  Lord  said:  'Where  is  thy  brother f* 

And  he  said,  '7  know  not.     dm  I  my 

brother's  keeperf 

And    the  Lord  said:  'What    hast    thou    done? 

The  voice  of  thy  brother's 
blood  crieth  unto  Me  from 
the  ground,' 

Henceforth  for  years  to  come, 

And  long  as  memory  remains, 

Your  very  name  shall  bear  an  evil  fame, — 

Shall  be  a  hissing  and  a  byword  and  a  scorn, — 

A  synonym  for  deep-planned  treacheries. 

For  outrage  of  all  common  human  rights. 

For  murderous  venom,  mad,  insensate  rage, 

And   coldly-calculated   frightfulness. 

Which  missed  its  aim  but  brands  you,  hence  for 

ever. 
With  the  mark  of  Cain. 

[114] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


GERMANIA  (continued) 

Men  reap  what  they  have  sown ; — 

That  is  the  inviolable  law. 

You  have  sown  hatreds;  hatreds  you  shall  reap, 

And  utter  detestation  of  right-minded  men. 

Your  masters,  hanged  like  Haman, 

Were  too  lightly  sped. 

And  you,  the  common  herd. 

Who  carried  out  like  cattle  their  fell  will, — * 

You  shared  the  evil;  you  rejoiced  in  it; 

You  would  have  shared  the  plunder; 

You  the  punishment  must  share. 

So  long  as  memory  remains, 

You  bear  the  foul  black  stains. 

And  memories  of  deeds  like  yours 

Are  deep,  deep  memories,  and  long, — 

Deeper  than  graves,  and  longer  than  men's  lives. 


Yet  even  you — returned  to  saner  mind, 

Your  foul  crimes  purged,  and  reparation  made, 

May  In  Time's  fulness  be  received  again 

Among  the  nations; 

But — not — yet, — nor  ever  as  before. 

What  man  henceforth  can  trust  you? 

You  have  lost 

[115] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


GERMANIA  (continued) 

Your  standing  in  the  courts  of  honour  and  of 

truth. 
Outcast  you  are,  outcast  you  must  remain, 
Until  you  prove  your  right  to  stand  again 
In  the  clean  company  of  honourable  men. 

A  knightly  enemy,  one  fair  In  fight, — 
The  fighting  done,  we  greet  again  as  friend 
And  bear  no  malice.     But  a  foe  who  knows 
No  law  of  God  or  man  but  his  necessity, 
Whose    word    is    wind,    whose    treaties — paper 

spoiled, 
His  pledges — cover  for  his  treacheries. 
His  acts — the  rootlngs  of  a  hog  In  mire ; — 
His  hand  no  honest  man  can  take  again 
Until  he  cleanse  it  of  the  accursed  stain. 


[116] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


RIGHT  AND  RIGHTS 

If  every  man  did  right, 

No  man  would  have  to  fight 

For  his   own   rights   'mid  all  the  other  wrongs 

and  rights  of  life; 
His  rights  would  be  his  right, 
And  no  man  then  would  fight 
For  that  which  was  his  own  *mid  all  the  other 

rights  of  life. 
If  only — only — only — 
Every  man  did  right, 
No  more  would  life  be  strife, 
But  just  one  long,  bright,  infinite, 
Pure  vista  of  delight, — 
If  only — only — only — 
Every  man  did  right. 


[117] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  FATHER-MOTHERHOOD 

Father  and  Mother,  Thou 
In  Thy  full  being  art, — 
Justice  with  mercy  intertwined, 
Judgment   exact  with  Love  combined. 
Neither  complete  apart. 

And  so,  we  know  that  when 

Our  service  weak  and  vain. 

The  Father- Justice  would  condemn, 

The  Mother-Love  Thy  wrath  will  stem, 

And  our  reprieval  gain. 


[118] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


GOD-SENSE ! 

God  grant  you, 

In  the  common  ways  of  life, 

Good  common-sense ! — 

And  In  the  larger  things, 

Uncommon  sense ! — 

And,  In  the  greatest  things  of  all, 

His  own  God-sense ! — 

God-sense  of  what  Is  right  and  fit, 
That  so,  In  every  circumstance 
Of  life  or  death,  you  may  acquit 
Yourself  as  He  deems  well, — . 
In  all  make  good  deliverance, 
In  all  without  offence  excel, 
In  all  add  glory  to  His  name, 
And  His  estate  enhance. 


[119] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


DEBTOR  AND  CREDITOR  AM  I 

All  who  have  lived  and  gone, 

Since  Time  began, — 

And  all  that  they  have  ever  done. 
Since  Time  began, — 

Their  every  thought,  and  word,  and  deed 

Has  been  unconsciously  a  seed, 

Bringing  its  influence  to  bear 

Upon  my  mind  and  character. 

Yea,  each  and  all,  in  their  degree. 

Have  had  their  part  in  making  ME, — » 

And  YOU,— 

Just  simple  you,  and  simple  me. 

And  equally — 

Till  Time  shall  end. 
And  on  through  all  eter- 
nity,— 

In  its  degree. 

Each  thought  and  word  and  deed  of  mine 

Or  makes  or  mars  God^s  fair  design. 

Not  one  but  has  its  due  effect, 

In  ways  by  me  all  unsuspect, 
[120] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


DEBTOR  AND  CREDITOR  AM  I  (continued) 

On  all  who  shall  come  after  me. 
No  tiniest  ripple  on  the  sea 
But  tells  on  its  Immensity. 

Here  as  I  stand — a  simple  man — 
I  am  Time's  heir 

Since  Time  began. 
And  more, — In  my  degree,  Progenitor 
Of  all  that  Time  may  have  In  store;— 
Debtor  and  Creditor  in  one 
Of  all  that  has  been,  shall  be,  done. 
I  am  at  once  effect  and  cause 
Of  all  that  Is  to  be  or  was. 
Enough,  In  truth,  to  make  one  pause 
In  awe-struck  wonder  at  the  laws 
Which  suffer  no  least  thing  to  fall 
In  carrying  on  the  wondrous  tale. 

In  God*s  economy  there  Is 
No  end  to  once-born  energies. 
The  very  leaf  that  falls  and  dies 
Lives  on  again  In  other  guise ; 
And  no  man  for  himself  alone 
Can  live,  or  his  account  disown. 
[121] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


DEBTOR  AND  CREDITOR  AM  I   (continued) 

However  small,  for  good  or  ill, 

He  doth  Life's  purposes  fulfil, 

And  graves  upon  the  deathless  scroll 

The  endless  record  of  his  soul. 

God's  primal  word  was  '^Let  there  heP* 

And  therewith — Life's  eternity. 


[122] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


INSPIRATION— PERSPIRATION 

Inspiration  is  good,  but  with  it  alone 
Life's  prizes  are  not  to  be  won; 
Perspiration  you'll  need  if  you  would  succeed 
And  get  the  world's  work  well  done. 


[123] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


IN  THE  BEGINNING 

In  the  Beginning, 

When  as  yet  nought  was, — 

Earth  without  form  and  void, — 

Darkness  impenetrate  upon  the  deeps, — 

Still  one  the  upper  and  the  nether  floods, — 

Thou,  Spirit  of  God,  didst  move 

Upon  the  waters'  face. 

Silent,  majestic,  where  was  none  to  see. 

And  in  those  vast  infinities 

Of  silence  and  of  space. 

Didst  ponder  what  should  be. 

And  of  Thy  wondrous  pondering 

Came — Earth. 

And,  through  the  ages  since. 
Unseen  and  silent,  Thou  hast  watched 
Earth's  doings  and  undoings; 
— Hast  seen  the  nations  rise 
To  utmost  dominance, 

Filling   the    earth   with   wonder   and   with    awe 
Of  their  magnificence; 
And  Thou  hast  seen  them  fall 

[124] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


IN  THE  BEGINNING  (continued) 

To  nought  and  less  than  nought, — 
To  nothing  but  a  name 
And  that  accursed. 

The  nations  come,  the  nations  go; 
But,  in  the  everness  of  Thine  eternity, 
They  are  no  more  than  shadows 
Flitting  across  earth's   face. 
Which  Thou  didst  make  so  fair, 
And  dulling  for  a  little  space 
Its  radiance  rare. 

And  ever,  when,  in  his  sore  need, 

Man  turned  to  Thee, 

Thy  help  was  given  unstintedly  and  free. 

And  when,  in  high  estate  again. 

He  turned  and  flouted  Thee, 

Thou,  The  Omnipotent,  his  crown 

Didst  take,  and  put  him  down 

Into  the  dust  from  whence  he  came, 

And  left  him  but  a  name. 

But,  through  it  all  we  see. 
Though  dimly,  since  Thy  ways  are  mystery, 

[125] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


IN  THE  BEGINNING   (continued) 

Thy  Will,  through  all  the  fret  and  strife, 
Towards  fuller,  larger,  nobler  life. 

And  still,  In  silent  majesty, 
Unheard,  unseen.  Thou  dwellest  above 
The  wild  world-welter  of  these  later  days, 
Watching,  watching,  watching  man  deface 
Thine  Image,  and  Thy  love  abase, — 
A  chaos  darker  than  that  primal  one, 

For  now  Thy  will  Is  known, but  is  not 

done. 

Yet  still  we  hold  the  faith 

That  Thou,  who  conqueredst  Death, 

Will,  of  Thy  later  brooding,   and  man's  strife, 

Bring  forth  a  nobler  life. 

As  of  Thy  former  came 

So  fair  an  earth. 

So,  of  this  later  birth. 

In  Thy  good  time,  shall  come 

A  world  swept  clean,  by  Thy  consuming  flame, 

Of  shame  and  all  that  makes  for  shame, 

And  worthy  henceforth  of  Thy  name. 


[126] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


A  LITTLE  WORD 

I  spoke  a  word, 

And  no  one  heard; 

I  wrote  a  word, 

And  no  one  cared, 

Or  seemed  to  heed; 

But  after  half  a  score  of  years 

It  blossomed  in  a  fragrant  deed. 

Preachers  and  teachers  all  are  we,- 
Sowers  of  seeds  unconsciously. 
Our  hearers  are  beyond  our  ken, 
Yet  all  we  give  may  come  again 
With  usury  of  joy  or  pain. 
We  never  know 

To  what  one  little  word  may  grow. 
See  to  it  then  that  all  your  seeds 
Be  such  as  bring  forth  noble  deeds. 


[127] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SHOW  PITY,  LORD! 


Cast  out  the  sword, 
Break  It  In  twain, 

Show    pity,    Lord  I 
Our  pride  is  slain. 


Our  pride  is  slain, 
We  are  full  sore, 

Show    pity.    Lord  I 
We  can  no  more. 


We  can  no  more 
Thy  wrath  withstand. 

Show    pity.    Lord ! 
Stretch  out  Thy  Hand ! 


Stretch  out  Thy  Hand ! 
Our  might  is  vain. 

Show    pity.    Lord  I 
Lift  us  again ! 

[128] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SHOW  PITY,  LORD!   (continued) 

Lift  us  again! 
Thine  is  the  power, 

Show    pity,    Lord! 
In  this  dark  hour! 

Thine  is  the  Kingdom 

Thine  the  power  1 
The  Greatness  and  the  Glory  Thine! 
O  rise  and  shine, 
In  this  dark  hour, 
And  fill  all  life 
With  Light  divine ! 


[129] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SQUARING  UP 

Now  all  ye  nations  of  the  Pact,  when  once  the 

fight  is  won, 
See  to  it  that  your  mighty  work  Is  well  and  truly 

done. 
The  millions  of  your  wounded,  and  the  myriads 

of  your  dead, 
Claim  as  their  guerdon  of  reward  a  peace  full 

perfected. 

Enforce  a  peace  and  make  secure, — a  peace  that 

shall  stand  sure; 
Safeguard  it  well  lest  once  again  this  horror  ye 

endure ; 
Bind  all  the  peoples  in  a  bond  that  nought  can 

break  or  mar, 
And  rid  the  world  for  ever  of  this  foul  red  curse 

of  war. 

And  the  vanquished, — the  provokers  of  this  dread 
catastrophe ! — 

They  must  bear  the  weighty  burden  of  their  self- 
made  agony; 

[130] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


SQUARING  UP  (continued) 

Yet  in  righteousness  and  justice  be  the  punishment 

imposed, — 
God  grant  they  find  their  souls  again  before  The 

Books  be  closed! 


[131] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  PURGE  OF  THE  FLAME 

Bound  hand  and  foot,  the  blameless  three 

Were  flung  Into  the  seven-fold  flame, 

But,  to  them  In  extremity, 

The  Son  of  God  for  solace  came. 

And  walked  with  them,  and  talked  with  them; 

And  lo — the  bound  were  free ! 

For  that  fierce  flame,  that  overcame 
The  mighty  men  that  they  were  slain, 
Burned  off  the  bonds  of  tyranny, 
And  gave  the  conscientious  three 
God's  liberty. 

So  be  it  with  us,  Lord! — May  this 
Fierce  flame  of  untold  sacrifice 
Burn  off  our  bonds,  and  set  us  free 
For  nobler  service  unto  Thee, 
And  wider  ministry! 


[132] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  TRUTH  SHALL  SET  YOU  FREE 

Ay, — Truth  In  very  truth  would  set  us  free ; 
But  Life  Is  shackled,  hand  and  foot,  with  lies, 
And  all  the  fortresses  of  Knavery 
Are   built    and   buttressed   with    foul    perjuries. 

If  Truth's  white  light  could  pierce  Life's  clouded 

sky. 
And  let  men  see  things  as  they  truly  are, 
Full  half  the  rulers  of  the  world  would  lie 
Prisoners  In  chains  before  Life's  Judgment-Bar. 

Fathers  of  Lies,  and  High  Diplomacies, 
Earth  groans  beneath  the  burden  of  your  crimes ! 
Come  Truth,  and  therewith  Peace,  and  swift  re- 
lease. 
And  certitude  of  sweeter,  nobler  times! 


[133] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THERE  IS  NO  DEATH 

There  is  no  death. — 

They  only  truly  live 

Who  pass  into  the  life  beyond,  and  see 

This  earth  is  but  a  school  preparative 

For  larger  ministry. 

We  call  them  ''dead,"— 

But  they  look  back  and  smile 

At  our  dead  living  in  the  bonds  of  flesh, 

And  do  rejoice  that,  in  so  short  a  while, 

Our  souls  will  slip  the  leash. 

There  is  no  death 

To  those  whose  hearts  are  set 

On  higher  things  than  this  life  doth  afford; 

How  shall  their  passing  leave  one  least  regret, 

Who  go  to  join  their  Lord? 


[134] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  LEAVES  OF  THE  GOLDEN  BOOK 

Thick  as  leaves  on  Vallombrosa 
Lie  the  leaves  of  The  Golden  Book, 
Scattered  wide  throughout  the  land, 
Everywhere,  on  every  hand, 
Telling  how  our  men  forsook 
Their  little  all,  at  Duty's  call, 
And  high  things  undertook. 

I  see  them  In  the  narrow  streets, 

Each  window  shrines  a  name; 

And  my  heart  greets  with  quickened  beats 

These  diplomas  of  fame. 

Out  In  the  quiet  country  lanes, 
Among  the  waving  trees, 
They  peep  out  from  the  leaded  panes 
Of  old-world  villages. 

Here,    two   have   gone, — here,    three, — once, 

four ! — 
Four  from  one  family! 
My  heart  beat  high  and  yet  was  sore, 
[135] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  LEAVES  OF  THE  GOLDEN  BOOK   (con- 
tinued) 

For  what  if  they  should  come  no  more? — • 
I  bowed  before  that  humble  door, — 
Then  went  on  weightily 
For — what  high  honour  to  their  name! — 
Four  Great-Hearts,  gone  to  face 
Woundlngs  and  death,  with  but  one  aim, — 
The  welfare  of  their  race ! 

And  if  they  come  no  more ! — ah  then, 
Our  loss  is  sore  indeed. 
But  ....  their  promotion  is  all  gain ; 
And  so — to  each — *'God  Speed!" 

God  will  gather  all  these  scattered 

Leaves  into  His  Golden  Book, 

Torn  and  crumpled,  soiled  and  battered, 

He  will  heal  them  with  a  look. 

Not  one  soul  of  them  has  perished; 

No  man  ever  yet  forsook 

Wife,  and  home,  and  all  he  cherished, 

And  God's  purpose  undertook, 

But  he  met  his  full  reward 

In  the  'Well  Done"  of  his  Lord. 

[136] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


AND  THOU? 

*^For  thee, — earth! s  fetters  worn; 
For  thee, — the  life  forlorn; 
For  thee, — the  crown  of  thorn; 
For  thee, — the  death  of  scorn; 
All  this, — and  that  last  agony, 
I  bore  for  thee. 
What  hast  thou  done  for  Mef* 

Lord,  to  Thy  name 

I  build  a  noble  fane, 

Chaste  and  replete 

With  all  things  fair  and  meet 

Thy  worship  to  maintain, 

And  dowered  it  complete 

With  every  requisite. 

*^Thou  hadst  thy  rewardP* 

Nay  but, — Lord!  ....  Lord  I 
^'Thou  hadst  thy  reward T^ 

''And  thour 

Lord,  I  bring  nought. 
In  humble  ways  I  sought 
[137] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


AND  THOU?  (continued) 

To  bring  to  dull  grey  days 

Some  gleam  of  light, 

Some  touch  of  grace, 

Some  lifting  of  the  night. 

I  strove  to  teach  Thy  love. 

But  no  success  my  work  did  bless. 

Dear  Lord,  forgive  my  emptiness  I 

^'Thou  hast  well  done, 

My  faithful  one. 

I  measure  worth  hy  effort,  not  success. 

Not  what  thou  didst,  but  what  thy  striving  meant 

Is  my  just  gauge  of  thine  accomplishment. 

Come — enter  in,  and  share  my  happiness!** 


[138] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


YESTERDAY— TO-DAY— TO-MORROW 

"Yesterday  is  dead.  . .  .    Forget  it! 

To-morrow  does  not  exist,    •  •  •   Don't  worry! 
To-day  is  here.  ,. .  .    Use  it!'' 

D.  B. 

Yesterday  dead? 

Nay  then !    Its  joyous  memories 

Live  on  and  on,  and  ever  brighter  grow. 

And  all  its  wounds  and  wrinkles  shall  be  filmed 

With  tenderest  lichen-growth  of  Time, 

Healing  the  sores  and  hiding  e'en  the  scars; 

For  nothing  dies, — not  even  our  yesterdays. 

To-morrow  non-existent? 
Ay! — but  To-morrow  holds  in  trust 
Our  hope's  fruition. 
No  To-morrow ! — Then,  indeed. 
Would  Hope  lie  dead 
And  Faith  and  Love  be  vanquished. 
Hope  of  The  Great  To-morrow 
Keeps  our  heart's  compass  to  its  pole. 
We  look  indeed  for  morrows  that  shall  far 

[1391 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


YESTERDAY  — TO-DAY  — TO-MORROW   (con- 
tinued) 

Outweigh  the  sorrows  that  now  are; 
In  that  sweet  hope  we  live, 
In  that  sure  faith  wax  strong. 
To-morrow  truly  comes  apace, — 
Sure-footed,  swift,  with  smiling  face, — 
With  smiling  face  comes  swift  to  meet  us, — > 
Hands  outstretched  with  joy  to  greet  us, — 
Hands  outstretched  and  princely-laden 
With  the  gifts  of  God. 
To-morrow  is  not,  but  shall  be, 
Till  both  IS  and  IS  TO  BE 
Meet  in  God's  Eternity. 

To-day  is  here!    Use  it! 

Yes,  truly! — here  is  no  dispute. 

For  Life,  in  ultimate  and  veriest  truth. 

Is  bounded  by  a  moment's  span. 

The  past  is  past, — the  future  not  yet  born. 

E'en  as  you  read  this  word  ....   'tis  gone! 

'Twas  read.     It  passed  into  the  past,  became  a 

memory. 
And,  in  the  terms  of  His  Infinity, 
Man's  life  is  like  that  fleeting  moment, — 
Gone  soon  as  come. 

[140] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


YESTERDAY  —  TO-DAY  —  TO-MORROW   ( con- 
tinued) 

But  His  Eternity  lasts  on  and  on  and  on, 

And  by  His  grace  we  share  it,  and  we  too  last  on. 

This  pulse  at  any  beat  may  stop; 

Man  can  be  certain  but  of  each  short  moment 

As  it  comes.     His  next  may  be  the  other  side  the 

vail. 
— ^A  solemn  thought,  and  only  bearable  in  this  sure 

hope, — 
Whatever  is,  the  best  is  still  to  come; 
And  He  who  gives  gives  knowingly. 
And  suits  His  gifts  to  our  necessities. 


[141] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


S.  ANTHONY  AND  COBBLER  JOHN 

Anthony  the  Monk 

Dwelt  in  the  desert  sands,  alone  with  God, 

Beyond  remotest  ken  of  other  men, 

And  sought,  by  strictest  due  to  every  rite, 

With  prayers  and  fastings  of  the  eremite. 

To  perfect  life  and  make  his  soul  more  white. 

To  Anthony  the  Monk 

There  came,  upon  the  still  noon  air,  a  voice, — 

*^Saintly  and  pure  thy  life,  my  Anthony, 

And  in  it  my  sore  heart  doth  much  rejoice. 

Yet,  there  in  Alexandria,  lives  one 

More  saintly  still  than  thou, — old  Cobbler  John 

"Lord— how?" 

*^Nay — that  I  leave  to  thee,  my  son,** 


>) 


So  Anthony  the  Monk 

Took  staff  and  gourd,  and  toiled  across  the  waste 
To  far-off  Alexandria  in  haste ; 
And  found  the  house,  and  said  to  Cobbler  John, — 
"The  fragrance  of  your  salntliness  is  blown 
To  heaven  itself.     I  pray  you  make  it  known, — ■ 

[142] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


S.  ANTHONY  AND  COBBLER  JOHN  (continued) 

What  do  you  then  beyond  all  other  men, 

That  your  sweet  virtue  has  such  great  renown?" 

"Nay  then,"  said  Cobbler  John, 

Nor  slacked  one  instant  from  his  arduous  toil, 

*T    know    of    nought    that    should    to    God    be 

known  .... 
Unless,  indeed,"  he  said,  perplexedly, 
"That  every  shoe  I  cobble  is  to  me  Christ's  own. 
To  me  it  is,  you  see.    And  every  one 
Is  done  my  best  for  Him  alone." 

Then  Anthony  the  Monk 

Bowed  his  grey  head,  and  very  humbly  said, — ? 

*T  strove  to  make  a  saint  of  Anthony. 

You  find  the  Christ  in  every  man  you  see. 

Your  way  is  best  and  you  the  more  are  blest." 

He  knelt  and  kissed  the  cobbler's  grimy  fist. 

And  went, — but  went  not  back  into  the  waste. 


[143] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


PAUL  AND  AGRIPPA 

Pale  from  his  prison, 

Before  me  stood  the  Jew, 

A  man  of  humblest  aspect. 

Shrunken,  and  bowed. 

Blinking  as  one  new  risen, 

And  half  dazed, 

Yet  unabashed,  uncowed 

By  all  his  sufferings. 

And,  as  I  gazed,  I  knew 

Here  was  no  common  Jew. 

For,  close  beside  him,  by  none  other  seen, 

(Festus    saw    nought,    nor    did    Bernlce,    the 

Queen,) 
Stood  one  of  mien  transcendent, — 
Gracious,  and  wonderful,  and  stern. 
With  eyes  resplendent, — 
Eyes  which  all  knowledge  held, — 
Knowledge    of    all    things   past,    all    things    to 

come ; — 
All  I  had  done  and  all  that  I  should  do. 
That  other  knew. 

And  in  His  presence,  I  forgot  the  Jew. 

[144] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


PAUL  AND  AGRIPPA  (continued) 

And  when  the  pale  Jew  spoke 

It  was  His  voice  I  heard ; 

It  was  His  soul  looked  at  me 

Through  the  pale  Jew^s  eyes. 

Boldly  he  spoke  and  wondrous  wise, 

My  heart  went  out  to  him; 

Almost,  indeed,  he  did  persuade  me  to  become 

A  Christian  like  himself. 

And  when  I  said  as  much,  he  flamed, — 

*'I  would  not  only  thou  but  all  who  hear  me 

Were  this  day  as  I,  save  for  these  bonds." 

And  as  he  spoke,  the  Jew 

Was  like  a  blazing  lamp. 

And  He  who  stood  beside  him 

Shone  like  the  noonday  sun. 

No  wrong  was  here.     I  told  them  so. 

But,  since  the  Jew  had  claimed  his  right, 

To  Cassar  he  must  go. 

And  I  was  sad  for  him. 

For  such  appeal  to  such  an  one 

Meant  death. 


[145] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


KINSFOLK 

And  you  from  the  Dominions,  from  the  Lands 
beyond  the  Seas, 

You  have  given  us  without  stinting,  of  your  lives, 
your  energies; 

By  the  blood  we  shed  together  we  are  kin  as  ne'er 
before, 

You  have  knit  your  hearts  to  our  hearts  hence- 
forth for  ever  more. 

You  have  borne  with  us  the  burden  of  the  heat, 

the  cold,  the  fray; 
We  are  bound  by  blood  of  sacrifice  that  nought 

can  e'er  repay. 
Now  share  the  mighty  heritage  for  which  akin  we 

strove, — 
The  end  of  strife,  the  nobler  life,  the  Empery  of 

Love ! 


[146] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  CHILDREN 

The  children,  Lord,  the  children!— 
Not  for  ourselves  we  pray, 
But  for  these  little  ones,  whose  feet 
Are  tender  to  the  way. 


For  we  have  learned  our  lessons 
Of  Love,  and  Hope,  and  Trust; 
But  they  have  still  to  learn  them, 
'Mid  the  turmoil  and  the  dust. 


Thy  hand  was  always  stretched.  Lord, 
To  lift  us  when  we  fell; 
We  leave  them  to  thy  Father-love 
That  doeth  all  things  well. 


When  the  wind  and  the  rain  beat  on  them 
O  hap  them  in  Thy  breast, 

When  their  feet  grow  worn  with  ways  forlorn 
Lift  them  up  and  give  them  rest. 

[147] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


THE  CHILDREN   (continued) 

High  on  Thy  breast,  Lord,  bear  them, 
Above  the  flints  and  mire. 
The  way  Is  long,  the  wind  is  strong, 
But  Love's  arms  never  tire. 

We  have  no  wealth  to  leave  them, 
They  must  tread  the  paths  we  trod; 
But  all  Is  well  If  but  they  dwell 
In  the  Fatherhood  of  God. 

And  whatever  else  they  learn,  Lord, 
May  they  learn  this  first  of  all,— ^ 
That  the  great  heart  of  their  Father 
Win  answer  every  call. 


[148] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


BE  STRONG! 

Stronger  the  soul  which  says, — 
*'ThIs    Is    with    purpose    sent    for    my    ennoble- 
ment,"— 
And  on  its  knees  in  prayer  doth  bravely  bear 
Its  overweight  of  care. 
Than  one  which  in  its  agony  doth  pray 
That  its  affliction  may  be  taken  away. 

God  loves  not  to  afflict, 

Yet  sees  at  times  the  need, 

And  firmly,  tenderly,  doth  lead 

Our  feet,  by  ways  more  strict, 

By  straitened  ways  and  clouded  days 

Up  to  the  shining  crest, 

Where  the  redeemed  soul 

Looks  back  upon  the  whole 

Of  those  past  days,  and  says, — 

*'His  way,  in  truth,  was  best." 

Pain  is  at  times  God's  minister, 
And  suffering  glorified. 
Since,  sinless,  for  the  sons  of  men. 
The  Christ  was  crucified. 

[149] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


TO  WIN  THE  WORLD 

Would  you  win  all  the  world  for  Christ? — > 
One  way  there  Is  and  only  one; — 
You  must  live  Christ  from  day  to  day, 
And  see  His  Will  be  done. 


But  who  lives  Christ  must  tread  His  way, 
Leave  self  and  all  the  world  behind, 
Press  ever  up  and  on,  and  serve 
His  kind  with  single  mind. 


No  easy  way, — rough-strewn  with  stones, 
And  wearisome,  the  path  He  trod. 
But  His  way  Is  the  only  way 
That  leads  man  back  to  God. 


And  lonesome  oft,  and  often  dark 
With  shame,  and  outcastry,  and  scorn, 
And,  at  the  end,  perchance  a  cross, — 
And  many  a  crown  of  thorn. 

[150] 


THE  VISION  SPLENDID 


TO  WIN  THE  WORLD   (continued) 

But  His  lone  cross  and  crown  of  thorn 
Endure  when  crowns  and  empires  fall. 
The  might  of  His  undying  love 
In  dying  conquered  all. 

Only  by  treading,  In  His  steps, 
The  all-compelling  ways  of  Love 
Shall  earth  be  won,  and  man  made  one 
With  that  Great  Love  above. 


[151] 


SKr< 


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ROSS  •  VIGTORlOiiS 


